The official grand opening ceremonies are now complete for the new RCMP office in Cochin.
The office, which serves the nearby Saulteaux and Moosomin First Nations, is a satellite office of the Battlefords Rural RCMP detachment. It has been in operation since June 27 but Wednesday, July 30 was the day set aside for the official grand opening ceremonies, attended by RCMP members, representatives from the nearby First Nations and the FSIN, as well as the general public.
The office had been in the works for some time and is a result of an enhanced policing agreement involving the Moosomin and Saulteaux First Nations.
"Part of that agreement stipulates that there be provision for office space that is close to the community," said Battlefords rural RCMP Staff Sergeant Howard Nodwell.
The office is located on Saulteaux land in the resort village, to the south of the Cochin lighthouse landmark.
Among those there for the ribbon-cutting were Saulteaux chief Leo Moccasin and Moosomin chief Brad Swiftwolfe.
"We'll have a faster response and help out people who need help here," said Moccasin, who welcomed the opportunity for the RCMP to "look after our communities more closely."
"Finally we've got it going and a lot of people are happy in both communities," said Moccasin.
Chief Swiftwolfe welcomed the greater cooperation between his First Nation and with Saulteaux towards making the office a reality.
"I'm very happy to see the number of participants who came out and celebrated the special day with us today," said Swiftwolfe. "The presence of police will keep people, especially the people who disobey the law, at bay."
The new office is already seeing a number of benefits for the officers who work there. Officers there say it makes it easier when it comes to filing paperwork and doing the necessary processing. That helps with minor offences because it means those who are accused can be processed in Cochin and released right away instead of having to spend time to go to the Battlefords detachment instead.
Another benefit comes from its location on Highway 4 coming into Cochin. Because of its visible location in the community's north end, it has encouraged drivers to slow down and obey the speed limits coming into the Cochin community - a community that has seen serious issues due to speeding cars in the past.
"The location is very good," said Nodwell.
"It is located at equal distance from both the First Nations as well as the village of Cochin, which has the huge benefit of having the police presence in the community. And for the RCMP, it gives us our best option for accessing all of these communities being that we're located right on the highway."
