On January 4, 2021, the local RCMP opened the new Stoney Nakoda detachment in the satellite office in Morley. It is a semi-autonomous detachment that combines RCMP members from Kananaskis and Cochrane. It has ten dedicated officers housed in the office 24/7 which offers an increased police presence on the Stoney Nakoda First Nation.

Fast forward just over two months and RCMP Corporal Troy Savinkoff says that the new detachment is working well. The initiative was meant to provide an increased police presence as well as to build and nurture a stronger relationship with other emergency partners, local council, and residents on the Stoney Nakoda. Savinkoff says they were receiving positive feedback right away. “Within the first week or two, the EMS staff had already commented to me about the increase in response times in assisting them. Whether that be with a patient that is unruly or supporting them at a potential assault where they had to assist the residents but needed police there as well. They have been able to increase their response times because of our increased response time as well.”

Savinkoff says that by having the detachment in Morley, they have been able to fortify positive relationships on a daily basis. The local council is very supportive and happy. The local security has direct communication with the officers that are working to improve a seamless line of communication. Corporal Savinkoff says, “It has been very positive and we are going to continue working on it. I feel like it would help if we had just a  couple more officers available out there that we are currently working on. So, that’s kind of the next phase of getting us just a few more members to help out there.” 

Bottom line from Corporal Savinkoff, “Nothing but positive, really and truly.”