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Working Together for a
Safer New Brunswick.

New Brunswick and the RCMP have a long history of professional service and community integration. Since 1932, RCMP Members have called New Brunswick home.

This election, let’s make sure they receive the resources they need to continue keeping communities safe!

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New Brunswick’s RCMP Members are trusted public safety experts.

The ~860 NB RCMP Members provide policing services to 70% of New Brunswickers through 39 detachments that cover over 97% of the province’s landmass. Our Members serve residents in communities large and small, from cities like Moncton, small towns such as Lamèque, and Indigenous communities like Tobique First Nation. 

Demonstrating significant adaptability, the RCMP’s policing model can be suited to the unique needs of both large and small communities. The NB RCMP effectively handles the province’s most pressing safety challenges by providing specialized services, including major crimes investigations, police service dogs, and emergency response teams – which benefit all communities, whether served by the RCMP or not.

They respond to over 150,000 calls for service annually –  a 44% increase since 2013. Their comprehensive approach addresses crime prevention, drug trafficking reduction, and protection for vulnerable groups. Every day, our Members work together for a safer New Brunswick, protecting our families, neighborhoods, and local businesses by leveraging world-class training combined with local knowledge and on-the-job experience.

Costly Changes to Policing Services are Unsupported by Communities Across New Brunswick.

Working together for a safer New Brunswick means investing in the NB RCMP. Independent reviews confirm that the RCMP remains the most cost-effective and efficient policing option for New Brunswick.

Transitioning away from the RCMP could result in significant financial implications, with a 2021 provincial review estimating an additional $86 million in annual costs. These findings underscore the value of maintaining the current RCMP model and avoiding expensive transitions.

The 70/30 cost-share model ensures municipalities receive substantial federal support, totaling $55 million annually. This arrangement enables local funds to be invested in other critical areas such as healthcare and infrastructure. The RCMP’s provincial mandate facilitates seamless service delivery across new municipal boundaries, maintaining consistent public safety. A recent Pollara Strategic Insights survey found that:

of residents in RCMP-served communities are satisfied with their policing services.
of New Brunswickers do not support increasing taxes to fund new police services.
of residents in RCMP-served communities indicating any tax increases for policing should go towards enhancing existing RCMP services.

N.B. is growing, and so are public safety needs. We need a public safety plan that keeps up.

Despite recent investment, the number of police officers in New Brunswick has not kept pace with population growth. More RCMP resources are crucial to maintaining public safety and addressing the unique challenges of both urban and rural communities.

The province’s population has increased by 7.4% over the last five years, yet the total authorized strength of police resources has only grown by 3.6%. Newly amalgamated municipalities are also struggling to provide adequate policing services after the 2023 local government reform. This gap highlights the urgent need for additional officers to ensure continued public safety.

New Brunswick must invest in additional RCMP Members to address the growing public safety demands and ensure communities remain safe and well-served. The Province needs to invest $20 million over the next three years to hire an additional 50 RCMP officers to keep pace with policing demands and provide community-based services.

RCMP recruitment is at an all-time high, with full troops at Depot and over 17,500 national applicants last year. This presents a timely opportunity for New Brunswick to invest in expanding its RCMP presence and enhance service to our communities.

Adequately resourced police services are crucial for effective crime prevention and for addressing the evolving needs of our communities. This is especially important in the context of municipal amalgamations and demographic changes, which require responsive and well-supported policing.

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The RCMP’s Specialized
Policing Services

While the RCMP provides general duty services to many New Brunswickers, as the provincial police service, they also provide critical operational support services to the RCMP, other law enforcement agencies and criminal justice partners.

The RCMP’s specialized policing services include:

  • 114 specialized policing professionals in 21 areas of expertise, ready to deploy 24/7
  • Explosive Disposal Unit: 4 post-blast investigators, 5 explosives forced entry experts, and 5 homemade explosives investigators
  • Emergency response Team: 16 frontline specialists who undergo 1,000 hours of training annually
  • Special Tactical Operations: 70 frontline policing specialists
  • Major Crime Unit
  • Underwater Recovery Team
  • Police Dog Services

RCMP and New-Brunswick:
An intertwined history

The RCMP’s initial headquarters were established in Fredericton at the historic Old Government House. This marked the beginning of a partnership that has endured for decades, symbolizing the commitment of RCMP Members to serving and protecting the people of New Brunswick.

Today, RCMP Members in New Brunswick play a vital role in maintaining public safety, enforcing laws, supporting community well-being, and contributing to national security.

Today, the NB RCMP strives to strengthen community engagement and collaboration as key components to addressing crime and implementing proactive initiatives. This is done in partnership with RCMP officers, partner agencies, local leaders, and community members who all work together. The RCMP is involved in many community policing programs, but most notably those related to Indigenous policing, drug awareness, youth safety, and
Crime Stoppers.

The RCMP’s history in New Brunswick is marked by a legacy of dedication, adaptability, and service. As it continues to evolve, RCMP Members remain an integral part of the Province’s fabric, working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of the people they serve.

 

RCMP’s Specialized Policing Services

Authorized by the National Police Federation. Books and records maintained by Don Armstrong, Chief Financial Officer, 1-833-673-8326