New Brunswickers rely on Members of the RCMP to provide policing[KC1] services, including responding to emergencies, maintaining safety, and building positive relationships in our communities. Crime in New Brunswick – and across Canada – is changing, and so too are the tools available to Members to combat it. These changes have led to a shift in how Members respond to crime, and in many areas, the traditional police foot and car patrol we’ve come to expect may not always be as visible.
More Calls for Service and Shifting Priorities
RCMP Members are regularly called upon to handle many different situations, from mental health crisis calls, missing person reports, to complex criminal investigations. They do this over a massive area, with New Brunswick being home to 39 detachments stretching from Shippigan (North East) to St. Andrews (South West).
Your RCMP Members are also wearing many hats and navigating a diverse range of responsibilities—from patrolling remote communities to tackling organized crime in urban centers. Members are also required to prepare file reports, complete administrative work, interview witnesses, transport prisoners or detainees, attend court, and much more.
New Brunswick’s RCMP Members Deliver Results
While there may be a perception that Members are less visible, they are there for you and are working hard to keep our communities safe.
In recent months, Members have made significant arrests and seized firearms as part of proactive operations aimed at keeping New Brunswick safe. For instance, in a key operation earlier this year, a Member quickly immobilized a suspect vehicle to prevent further risk to the public, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of a firearm.
Members in New Brunswick have also been working on traffic enforcement operations throughout the year to ensure road safety and reduce impaired driving, resulting in 75 vehicles being towed, and more than 2500 tickets being issued and countless lives saved and injuries prevented.
And, in late August, our Members’ swift response following a tip from the RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Coordination Centre (NCECC) of recent production of child pornography in Moncton led to an arrest and the children being safely removed from the residence by the Department of Social Development.
These are just a few examples of the high-priority incidents that RCMP Members are dedicating their time to across the province.
Spotlight: The RCMP’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit
Between 2015 and 2023, there was a dramatic rise in reported cases of child-related sexual exploitation, with the RCMP’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit seeing an alarming increase in investigations. In 2015, the RCMP was investigating 132 new cases, but by 2023, that number surged to 568—a staggering 330% increase year-over-year
Since 2021, the Unit has executed 73 search warrants, resulting in 52 arrests and 103 charges laid. There is an average of over 70 reports of sextortion per week in Canada.
To address this growing threat and ensure a more effective response, New Brunswick’s provincial budget announcement in 2023 included funding for additional positions and resources within the New Brunswick RCMP, specifically boosting the capacity of the ICE Unit. These new resources will enable the unit to enhance its efforts in combating online child exploitation, utilizing advanced technology and expanding its team to better protect vulnerable children and bring offenders to justice.
Policing with Purpose: Leveraging Data to Inform Policing Responses
Like many policing services, New Brunswick’s RCMP Members are navigating resource constraints, which have been compounded by an increasing number of calls for service and a growing complexity of investigations. Despite the dedication and hard work of Members, limited staffing and budgets can make it more challenging to maintain a visible police presence in every community. But data has a critical role to play in assisting Members in providing the right level of policing response at the right times.
Our Members look at a lot of data – including crime statistics, frequencies of calls for service, demographic data, and more. Combined, this data paints a picture about where and how Members should patrol and investigate crime. As one example, crime trend stats in an area can help identify which areas are more prone to certain types of crime and therefore where Members should be patrolling.
This data is fluid – it’s not static like a history textbook. It’s constantly changing and Members are adjusting their response to follow the data and criminal’s trails.
No matter where the data tells our Members to patrol, one thing is always true: if you need help or if you call 9-1-1, our Members are there for you regardless.
Strengthening Community Relationships
Despite the challenges of geography and busy file loads, Members are actively working to strengthen their relationships with local communities. Recent community engagement efforts in Riverview highlighted the RCMP’s commitment to hearing from residents about their concerns and working together to build safer communities. These meetings provide an opportunity for people to directly interact with Members, voice their concerns, and learn about ongoing efforts to address crime and public safety.
These outreach initiatives are crucial, especially in smaller cities where residents may feel disconnected from policing efforts. By communicating directly with the public, Members ensure that they are addressing the most pressing issues while maintaining open lines of communication with the people they serve.
Building a Better Future by Strengthening Support for the RCMP
As we look ahead, it’s important for New Brunswickers to know that Members of the RCMP are there for them. While the shift away from traditional patrols towards data-informed policing in some areas may feel noticeable, the RCMP’s commitment to public safety has not wavered.
The New Brunswick RCMP has also received substantial support and investment in new positions from government at various levels, which is extremely appreciated and helpful in ensuring Members can continue to keep communities safe. It is a recognition of the essential and invaluable role that a strong workforce and frontline plays in public safety.
The RCMP is always learning and is continuing to adapt to meet the evolving needs of the province, focusing on high-priority incidents, and engaging with the community to ensure that everyone feels heard and supported.
For more information on how the RCMP is serving New Brunswick, and to stay updated on the latest news, visit the OurNBRCMP website.