Codiac RCMP detachment stable, well equipped, says official

CodiacRCMPSupt. PaulBeauchesnespoke out Wednesday night to deny reports that officers in his detachment are leaving in droves and it is taking a long time for carbines and the carbine racks to be available to members.

Beauchesnesaid ina statement to theCodiacRegional Police authority that20 members have requested to be transferred out of the detachmentbecause of what happened on June 4, 2014, when Justin Bourque shot and killed RCMP constables Douglas Larche, Dave Rossand Fabrice Gevaudanin Moncton.

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"Given the scope of the tragedy, that is not unreasonable or even unexpected. Some of those requests have already been accommodated while others are being worked on," a statement fromBeauchesne said.

He said media reports of higher numbers are not true.

"There are others seeking transfers but for other reasons, such as career opportunities or promotions as per normal practice," he said.

"Codiacis a desirable detachment and we get calls every week from members wanting to come here to live and work in our community."

He said carbine racks have arrived at theCodiacdetachmentand are being installed in police cars.

"A number are being installed now and by the end of this week a majority of our cars will have carbine racks. As the racks arrive they are being installed with the priority being our marked patrol cars,"Beauchesnesaid.

"Training of our members on the carbines is ongoing and the members identified for the next round of training courses know exactly when they are scheduled to attend."

He refused to say how manycarbines have arrivedat the detachment so far.

"It's information that could jeopardize safety. Over the past year we have received a sufficient number of carbines atCodiacto allow us to properly respond to high risk calls for service."