Hanna RCMP Detachment Policing Initiatives
The Hanna RCMP are involved in the following detachment policing initiatives:
(1) Lady Beware: This program is offered with the Hanna & District Learning Centre and is aimed at providing females with information and tips on how to stay safe against criminal activity, especially harassment, assault, sexual assault, etc.
(2) Halloween Safety: Each year one of the members attends the local schools to provide safety tips to children of all ages so that they may have a safe and fun Halloween.
(3) Bike Rodeo: This occurs each year at the beginning of the summer. The detachment works in conjunction with the Town of Hanna to teach kids the rules of the road, proper bicycle operation, safety equipment and procedures, etc.
(4) Rural Crime Watch: This is a crime watch program for residences in the rural area. There is a fan-out system in place to relay all necessary and important messages quickly. The member base is currently approximately 350.
(5) Child Identification Program: This program is a fingerprinting program available to all children. The prints are retained by the parents of the child, and are used to locate the child should the child go missing, whether or not there is foul play involved.
(6) Detachment Tours: Members of the detachment provide tours to various groups, such as Scouts, Girl Guides, and school classes. The members show the kids all parts of the detachment, the police vehicles, tools on the belt of the officer, etc. as well, the members speak to the children about safety issues, and provide the kids with a bag full of goodies to take home.
(7) Infant/Child Seatbelt Safety: This program is provided in conjunction with the local hospital and health regional department. The program is aimed at illustrating the correct installation of infant/child safety seatbelts, as well as the importance of having same used properly at all times.
(8) Walk the Talk: This program is offered by the detachment to provide children in the community with information on the rules of the road and how to stay safe from accidents and injuries while near the road and traffic.
(9) D.A.R.E.: A member provides the D.A.R.E. training course to three local school classes of children. As well, he organizes an impressive D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony for the children and their parents and guests.
(10) Hanna RCMP Charity Golf Tournament: Each June, the detachment organizes a golf tournament to raise funds for various groups, such as Victim's Services. The golf tournament takes place over an entire day, and also serves to bond the community closer to the RCMP members.
(11) Hanna RCMP Annual Christmas Ball: The detachment organizes a formal Christmas gala, to which all citizens of the community are invited. The ball serves to allow closer bonds to form with the members of the detachment and citizens of the community, as well as provide the residents with an enjoyable evening with the members during the holiday season.
(12) Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.) : This program was launched in Hanna in early 2004 by Cst. PEYTON and Aux. Cst. CROWLE. The program, which conjoins with the larger provincial C.O.P. initiative, embraces the ideology of community policing. Residents of the community volunteer their time to work regular shifts in patrolling the town. The C.O.P.s keep an active eye for any criminal or suspicious activities, make appropriate notes and report same to the regular detachment members.
(13) Various Red Serge Duties: The members also partake in various Red Serge duties throughout the year, which include the annual Hanna Rodeo, the Fall Fair Parade, and the Christmas Light-Up Parade, as well as during Canada Day and Remembrance Day.
(14) Other Mentions: The detachment maintains an auxiliary force of three members, as well as participates in an Alternative Measures Program and Community Justice Forums. Further, the detachment has a member who provides a bicycle policing service.