This is public safety: Concerns raised about RCMP dispatcher vacancies [Video]

CUPE 104, the union representing RCMP dispatchers and operators, is sounding the alarm as 43 per cent of jobs are vacant across Canada.

These vacancies are raising concerns about how these could be affecting police and their response time.

“It’s an actual shortage and it’s very worrisome. It’s been going on for a while, and it’s just getting worse,” said Kathleen Hippern, CUPE 104 president.

“I fear that a tragedy is going to happen.”

In Saskatchewan specifically, the vacancy rate has jumped to just under 56 per cent — something Hippern says is a public safety failure.

“This is officer safety. This is public safety. This is the health and well-being of the people that are taking these calls and working these files.”

According to the union, the RCMP commissioner received a recommendation to provide the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) staffing statistics every six months — something they’ve refused to do.

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