There’s been some changeover at the Sunshine Coast RCMP detachment. In her quarterly report to Gibsons council, Staff Sgt. Jennifer Prunty reported that one constable transferred out of the detachment and another resigned in the fourth quarter of 2023.
At the Feb. 6 committee of the whole meeting, Prunty submitted a report that said they are actively seeking to fill these two positions, and are initiating the process to fill a third vacancy after another constable transfers in a few months. Prunty said she expects these positions to be filled quickly. The report also noted three constables are on maternity or parental leave, a constable has been on long-term sick leave since September, and a Cpl. Watch Commander has been on long-term sick leave since last June. The youth liaison Cst. Chris Mager has been temporarily reassigned to frontline policing to support the watch, but will resume his position once constable vacancies have been filled. Prunty said Mager’s move was a last resort.
Coun. David Croal asked Prunty about the major obstacles in filling vacant positions, to which she said it was housing for a couple of years, but now the major obstacle is the time it takes to run a staffing process. Since Prunty has been in her role, there have been six new recruits and they all found housing, including with the help of community partners. Hiring can also be complicated by what other RCMP detachments staffing needs are. Prunty completed a business case to have the Sunshine Coast listed as a priority placement detachment again, citing its unique environment due to ferry access and the detachment’s inability to get overtime resources quickly.
Joining the detachment is a Cpl. Watch Commander expected to arrive from Prince Rupert by April 1. A new constable, Cst. Rishwan Dherdi, also joined the detachment after graduating from the Regina Depot Division in October. She will complete her field training this April, Prunty’s report stated.
