Claresholm RCMP updates M.D. on activities

By Rob Vogt
A lot happened over the last three months for the Claresholm RCMP.
Sergeant Perry Pelletier, Claresholm detachment commander, appeared as a delegation at the March 11 meeting of the council of the Municipal District of Willow Creek to provide his quarterly update.
He noted the quarter ran from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025, then went over the detachment’s policing priorities.
The first priority is enhanced road safety.
Pelletier said during this third quarter, 21 charges for speeding were laid along with three charges for cell-phone usage, that is distracted driving.
In total, 132 traffic-related, non-Criminal Code complaints/files were received, resulting in 45 charges.
The second priority is crime reduction.
Pelletier said during this quarter, at least five conditions checks were conducted, two foot patrols within the Town of Claresholm, three walk-throughs of the bar, seven dedicated rural patrols and 12 in-town patrols as well as the Claresholm airport/industrial areas.
Claresholm currently has 24 persons on various court-imposed conditions or on warrant status. Some of the conditions range from firearm prohibitions, driving prohibitions, no-go to certain places, no contact with certain persons, curfews, and other conditions.
The third priority is communicating effectively and building and maintaining positive relations.
Pelletier said during this quarter, 17 various media releases and public advisories were completed and submitted to local media. This also includes monthly policing reports being provided in order to keep the communities informed on local policing activities.
The fourth priority is drug enforcement.
Pelletier said during this quarter, there was one report/complaint received under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The information provided came from an anonymous source and no further follow-up could be conducted.
He added that Claresholm and the surrounding M.D.s have had very few “drug-related” issues. The detachment area has been very fortunate to have not had any reported drug-related overdoses.
Pelletier moved on to offering some statistical comparison of activity in 2024 with 2025.
In the M.D., there were 198 files in 2024, with 192 deemed actual, six unfounded, 27 charges laid and 61 files still on-going.
There were 221 files in 2025, with 218 deemed actual, 32 charges laid and 72 files still on-going.
Pelletier said the overall drop was about six per cent.
He also discussed staffing, where the Claresholm detachment is allocated seven members.
Currently five are working, with one hard vacancy and one soft vacancy.
Advertising has closed for a new constable, while another constable will be moving on to city police.
Pelletier also indicated he will be retiring the end of July after 40 years of service.