Masters says shutting down Depot would be a ‘drastic measure’

It was the deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history. The horrific spree killing in Nova Scotia claimed the lives of 22 people and injured three more — leaving the public in shock and desperate for answers.

Nearly three years later, the final report from the public inquiry into the shooting was released and one of its recommendations included shutting down RCMP’s Depot Division — its training facility in Regina — by 2032.

The report suggested that the Depot model should be replaced with a research-based, three year-degree program.

Regina MP’s have voiced their support of the Depot.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sandra Masters also said the recommendation is something she couldn’t agree with.

“The RCMP Depot for our city is a point of civic and national pride,” she said.

“I haven’t read the report but my understanding is that this is really about further professional standards for RCMP training. I know at the Saskatchewan Police College that we continue to expand the programs that our recruits go through for civic policing.”

“And so I think there’s an opportunity to join the programs up to expand Depot training into perhaps the federated college training, a joint effort. That would be I think a wonderful idea.”

Masters said that policing has evolved and will continue to evolve and called shutting down Depot a “drastic measure”.

“It’s not just about local, from a visitor perspective Sunset ceremonies, graduations — this has economic impact upon our city,” she said.

“From a national exposure perspective — we are working on receiving national status for the RCMP Heritage Museum. But in addition to that if you’ve ever been to one of these ceremonies we have folks that come in from outside of the country. And one of the things we are known for in this country is the RCMP.”

Masters argued that the RCMP is a national symbol of Canada.

“We don’t have a lot of those elements here because we are frankly in the middle of the country,” she said.

“We’re not on the coast with large populations like either Toronto or Vancouver. And so this is a significant element in attraction for us here in the city.”

Masters said the Depot can adapt without closing.

“I think the expansion of training and policing in general is something (where) we are behind, we know the Regina Police Service is behind and I think there could be a joint effort,” she said.