RCMP academy suspends training, sends some cadets home

The RCMP’s “Depot” Division in Regina has reacted to the threat of COVID-19.

In a media release Friday, the division announced that there aren’t any presumptive or confirmed cases of the virus at the RCMP Academy. Even so, all training at the academy has been halted until further notice.

One troop which had finished its training will graduate as scheduled on Monday, but the ceremonies will be closed to all visitors, including family.

“Three more troops are to complete their training and graduate over the next week under the same conditions,” the release said. “Their training schedules have been modified to permit this. This will enable the RCMP to deploy over 120 new police officers to frontline operations across Canada.”

All remaining troops are being sent home based on the availability of flights and other transport. All incoming troops have been postponed.

Training will resume once provincial and national health agencies give the go-ahead.

Regular members who are on staff at the academy and who are deemed fit for duty may be redeployed to active duty in Saskatchewan or elsewhere in the country.

Public events already have been cancelled at “Depot.”