Justice and Public Safety
July 22, 2015

Investing in Policing for Safer Communities

Minister Participates in Sod-Turning Ceremony for New RCMP Detachment

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, today attended a sod-turning ceremony in Twillingate to officially start the process of constructing a new Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) detachment for the region. Minister King was joined at the event by the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for The Isles of Notre Dame, and Andrew Boland, Chief Superintendent of Criminal Operations with the RCMP.

“This is just the latest investment in rural policing in Newfoundland and Labrador and it is a pleasure to be in Twillingate this morning to officially launch this important project. The Provincial Government continues to provide enhanced resources to police services with an aim of making our communities as safe as possible for all residents. This new detachment will be an important piece of infrastructure in assisting the RCMP in carrying out its mandate in rural parts of the province.”
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Justice and Public Safety

Making communities safer is an important component of Live Here, Work Here, Belong Here, A Population Growth Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador, 2015-2025. The strategy is a roadmap for Provincial Government investments so that programs are aligned to help encourage individuals to choose Newfoundland and Labrador as their home, workplace of choice, and to build families and strong communities. More information can be found at www.gov.nl.ca/populationgrowth.

“It is with great pleasure that we turn the sod today for a new RCMP detachment. The facility will serve residents on Twillingate Island and New World Island and will be a very important piece of infrastructure in the area. We value the service the RCMP provides in our region and I am pleased that government continues to show support for our rural communities by enhancing local resources.”
- The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for The Isles of Notre Dame

Funding for the RCMP detachment in Twillingate was announced as part of Budget 2015. In total, approximately $3.5 million is being invested this year towards the replacement or renovation of rural detachments in Twillingate, Whitbourne and Clarenville

The current detachment in Twillingate was built more than 60 years ago. Planning for the project has already been completed and construction of the new detachment is expected to begin later this year.

"Police work is increasingly complicated and complex, requiring modern infrastructure, facilities and equipment. This investment by the Provincial Government in a new detachment building here in Twillingate, will serve all communities in the area with a state of the art facility that will further enhance public safety services to residents."
- Andrew Boland, Chief Superintendent of Criminal Operations, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Since 2004, the Provincial Government has invested more than $1 billion in policing in Newfoundland and Labrador. Over that period, more than 145 new officers have been hired and the annual policing budget has increased by more than $50 million.

QUICK FACTS:

• A sod turning ceremony was held in Twillingate this morning for a new RCMP detachment for the region.
• The current RCMP detachment in Twillingate is one of the oldest in the province having been constructed more than 60 years ago.
• As part of Budget 2015, approximately $3.5 million is being invested this year to replace or renovate rural detachments in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Since 2004, the Provincial Government has invested more than $1 billion in policing in the province and hired more than 145 new officers. The annual policing budget has increased by more than $50 million.
• Safer communities are an important component of Live Here, Work Here, Belong Here, A Population Growth Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador, 2015-2025.

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