The head of the Lloydminster RCMP, Inspector Brian Nicholl is sharing about the work of the local law enforcement in 2024 and planning for 2025. He advises though that while people may use social media, they should still report crime to the RCMP.
Question 1: How would you assess the Lloydminster RCMP’s crime-busting strategies in 2024? Present any stats that you shared with the city this year to highlight the work of the local detachment.
Nicholl: In 2024, the Lloydminster RCMP utilized various crime reduction initiatives including, but not limited to; foot patrols, town hall meetings, proactive traffic enforcement, community engagement, proactive warrant apprehension, enhanced patrols, chronic offender management, area-specific enforcement, engagement in various community groups, multi-unit combined initiatives and targeted crime reduction initiatives. The Lloydminster RCMP Detachment also remained heavily committed and engaged with youth and education throughout the year. The Lloydminster Detachment did see an increase in minor property crimes and looked towards various above-noted initiatives.
In the first 2 quarters of 2024 (April – Sep.) the Lloydminster Detachment saw a decrease of seven per cent in person-type crimes (overall), an 11 per cent increase in property-type files (overall), one per cent increase in motor vehicle collisions (overall) and a 27 per cent increase in mental health type files.
Question 2: Is the detachment up to full strength?
Nicholl: The Lloydminster RCMP Detachment has an overall allotment of 51 regular members and currently has a vacancy of 6 members. Some of these vacancies are to be filled with members who are off for medical reasons, maternity leave, incoming new recruits, and incoming promotional opportunities.
The City of Lloydminster has approved the addition of two new regular members to be added to front-line policing of Lloydminster. These members will be uniformed first responders added in 2025.
Question 3: Extra officers are being budgeted for 2025; how will this help?
Nicholl: The addition of two new uniformed first responders will assist in the service delivery to the citizens of Lloydminster. This will assist with a better response time and the ability of front-line members to provide proactive initiatives.
Question 4: What is the biggest challenge facing the Lloydminster Detachment?
Nicholl: One of the biggest challenges the Lloydminster RCMP face is the accurate and timely reporting of crimes. Social media is a wonderful tool that every one of us uses each day, but it is not the correct location to file a police complaint. Not everything observed on social media is accurate or a true reflection of what was actually reported to police, observed on video, or even reported to police. Often things on social media indicate a much different picture than what is being reported to police. This year, social media indicated a dramatic increase in bike thefts, in actual police reports, we observed a decrease in reported bike thefts during that time over previous years. This does not mean the thefts are not occurring, but this does indicate that police response/actions are directly impacted by what is actually being reported.
The unfortunate side effect of negative social media, it can directly impact the tireless and good work the vast majority of first responders are doing day in and day out to ensure the safety of the community that their families and themselves also live in. The vast majority joined the police service to make a positive impact and help people.
Question 5: What are some of the things people are asking of the RCMP?
Nicholl: In the City of Lloydminster, the main issue that still comes up for the local Detachment to attend to, is traffic enforcement of speeding and reckless behaviours in residential areas. The local unhoused has also been the forefront of many business and community members concerns over the last few years. In both concerns, the local front-line members and crime reduction members have developed various initiatives that have seen a reduction in some of the reports.
Question 6: How can any of these things on the wish list of citizens be achieved?
Nicholl: The City of Lloydminster is a fantastic place to live and raise a family. There are some issues within the community as there are with every community, but we must remember how good Lloydminster remains. The RCMP always remind citizens to remain diligent in securing their property, placing cameras in appropriate areas, knowing their neighbours and reporting crime appropriately. Please ensure that when you report a crime, you are prepared to provide a statement to police and to possibly present testimony in court should an arrest be made.
Reporting an incident is the first step to holding people who commit crimes accountable, but it does not stop there. Most often, it is the responsibility of the witness or victim of a crime to attend court and provide evidence of the offence. Our Community Policing Unit has held many events in the community, including “Coffee with a Cop”, and we always invite people to stop by these events and speak with our officers about any concerns.
On behalf of the Lloydminster RCMP, Inspector Nicholl extends greetings for the holidays and 2025.
Nicholl: On behalf of myself and the Lloydminster RCMP, I would like to wish the wonderful citizens of our community, a safe and happy holiday season.
