Sorry for missing a week folks. I was away teaching a Breath Technician Course. The instrument is an Intox EC/IR II. Ask any of the Members trained on it and they will tell you us instructors don’t like the word “Machine” It is an approved instrument. If you know any retired Members they will remember this as well. It is like a swear word or a forbidden word.
• Sometimes we get a warm satisfying feeling for the job we do. On Valentines Day 3 youth attended the Detachment with cookies and a card thanking us for what we do. It sure was a nice gesture. Our team, which includes Members from the Detachment and Traffic Unit, Victim Services, Detachment Service Assistants, Guards, and Grounds Maintenance and Custodian is just that a Team. We can not work productively without the Team and even less productivity without the support and assistance of those in the communities we serve.
• We did not have a single false alarm in two weeks. A small victory when one considers we had 3 911 hang up investigations.
• We trained another Member on the Intox EC/IR II Breath testing instrument. We now have 11 out of 17 Members that are trained with this investigational tool. All 17 of our Members are trained on the small device that we use roadside and several are trained on the Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), which helps us identify drug impaired drivers and we have one Member that is a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE). We are well prepared to work toward dealing with impaired drivers.
• We had a report of two deer with hooked antlers. Shortly after the arrival of the Police, the deer must have figured it was time to stop fooling around and managed to disconnect their antlers without the assistance of the Police. One can only imagine what our gallant Members may have tried to do.
• We did have to send a deer off to the great pasture above after it was badly injured in a collision. It sure can be tough to watch an animal suffer.
• Please ensure those that you let operate ATV’s, side by sides and snowmobiles are qualified and can handle this equipment. We recently had a report of a concerned citizen who saw youth operating snowmobiles that were a little too high powered for their abilities. Our concern is safety. Personally I don’t want to deal with anymore people who state after an injury or fatality. “I assumed they could handle it”.
• So you “found” a cell phone and did not realize there is a tracking feature on it and when the Police come knocking on your door you try and state you were waiting for the owner to contact you. Unfortunately, that is not the way things work. We have yet to resolve the matter, however, charges of possessing stolen property are being considered.
• Now if you find something the right way to do it is to either bring it to the owner or to the RCMP. Now, you may ask how you can identify the owner? Some times it is very simple. Someone recently found some property belonging to a company being the company name was on the item. They brought it to our Detachment knowing we would quickly locate the owner, which we did.
• An individual was determined to be in town contrary to their release conditions. They were gone before we were made aware, however, our investigation will continue and it is hoped that with video evidence we will soon be laying a charge.
• Two individuals got into a physical altercation with one attending the hospital for medical attention, while the other attended our cell block for fingerprinting, photograph and release documents after a brief stay in a cell.
• Two other individuals also got into a physical altercation, however, the victim has chosen not to cooperate with the investigation.
• Another fight resulted in another individual spending some time in cells. It appears they won the fight but the reward was the unexpected stay in cells.
• Another incidence where violence was utilized resulted in an individual being charged with assault with a weapon, uttering threats and mischief. This individual was released on numerous conditions.
• Another individual was released on numerous conditions after being charged with assault with a weapon. The victim required medical treatment, however, the injuries were minor.
• A further assault is not going to result in charges, however, we did spend quite a bit of time locating the involved individuals.
• We had suspicious activity reported outside one of our schools after hours. Patrols were made. We suspect someone was up to no good, however, it could have just been someone reminiscing about better times. You know, nap time, snack time. The good old days.
• A party turned disappointing for the attendee’s upon the arrival of the Police. While the home owner was away several youth took the opportunity to hold a gathering. With the permission of the home owner Members attended and seized cannabis and drug paraphernalia and the 5 youth in attendance each received a $300 ticket for youth possessing cannabis. To ensure the safety of the youth, Members remained until the guardians could attend and take their youth home.
• An individual took another individual’s vehicle without their permission. They owner of the vehicle called the RCMP who found the accused operating the motor vehicle in an intoxicated state. When the Police went looking they found the accused who now faces charges of taking a motor vehicle without consent, impaired driving, failure to provide a breath sample, driving while prohibited, assault, and open liquor. This accused remains in custody.
• We also assisted Estevan by clearing up one of their warrants, assisted Corrections Canada by monitoring someone on release conditions and assisted Saskatoon with clearing up one of their warrants. This is in addition to child welfare and mental health act files.
• If your old licence is not destroyed and you choose to keep it, don’t keep it in your wallet. It is contrary to Provincial Legislation to do so. We don’t want to give you a ticket, however, sometimes due to attitude we may give the ticket.
• An erratic driver was located after a complaint from another road user and they were issued a $580 ticket for careless driving .
• Members responded to a report of a possible impaired driver and located the vehicle and the driver provided a “Fail” reading into the approved screening device. They subsequently provided breath samples of 110 mg%.
• One of our Traffic Members noted a vehicle operated by a driver without a seatbelt. The ALPR (Automated Licence Plate Reader) determined the registered owner to be suspended. A traffic stop was initiated and the driver was found to be cradling a bottle of vodka. They were subsequently arrested for impaired driving and provided samples of 290 and 310 mg%.
• A Member was on patrol and located a vehicle running with an individual sitting in the drivers seat. The sole occupant admitted to having had a few drinks and subsequently provided a “Fail” reading into the approved screening device. They were arrested and escorted to the Detachment where they provided samples of 160 and 150 mg%.
• Another impaired driving investigation where the driver was suspected of operating under the influence of cannabis. The SFST trained Member determined there was enough evidence to bring the accused to a DRE who determined there was enough evidence to bring the accused to a medical facility to provide samples for analysis. Our investigation is continuing and we fully expect there will be charges of impaired driving by drug once our lab completes their tests. The driver is suspended indefinitely at this time and also received a ticket for having cannabis in a vehicle.
• Another driver provided a “warn” into the approved screening device which normally would have resulted in a 72 hour suspension, however, due to the unenviable driving record involving alcohol, they received a 90 day suspension.
• Our Members, specifically our Traffic Members, focused on stop signs over the past reporting period and they issued many tickets and warnings. If you don’t want a stop sign ticket all you have to do is “STOP” at the stop sign.
• Members issued approximately 45 tickets and 65 warnings over the past two weeks.
• Tickets were issued for minor possess cannabis - $300, possess cannabis in a vehicle - $360, no insurance, fail to maintain daily log - $150, fail to stop at stop sign - $230, no drivers licence - $150, window tint - $115, fail to wear seatbelt - $175, careless driving $580, inadequate mudflaps and or fenders - $115, operate a motor vehicle without a subsisting inspection certificate - $90, brake lights fail to emit red light -$115 and most expensive speeding tickets were for $320, $350 and $490.
• Warnings were issued for stop sign, fail to produce drivers licence, hold more than one drivers licence, fail to wear a seatbelt, drive to the left of solid centre line, fail to stop at red light other than at an intersection (I would suggest stopping at the red lights in construction zones), cell phone use, obstructed licence plate, insecure licence plate, fail to dim high beams, and speeding
• Inspection notices were issued for inadequate windshield, inadequate head lights, inadequate day time running lights, window tint, inadequate mudflaps and or fenders, inadequate rear view mirrors, inadequate brake lights, failure to display inspection certificate and white lights on roof.
