Kimberley city council received a quarterly RCMP report from Acting Detachment Commander of Kimberley RCMP Cpl. Dean Kletzel at the October 13 regular meeting.
The report showed Kimberley RCMP had an increase in calls for service from the previous quarter.
Police responded to 618 calls from July through September 2026, compared with 506 in the previous three months.
The three primary objectives identified by the city and RCMP include reducing speeding and theft, and strengthening relationships with police and the community.
This quarter saw business thefts in Kimberley drop. Police credit targeted patrols, a drug search warrant carried out in June and court action dealing with repeat offenders as reasons for the decrease. The new program targeting repeat property offenders called Chronic Property Offending Intervention Initiative (C-POII), could help continue that progress.
This quarter traffic incident reports in Kimberley rose from 94 to 123. Police stopped 300 vehicles during road checks and issued 62 tickets, up from 56 the previous quarter.
Kimberley RCMP staffing remains stretched, with eight officers currently operational, out of a regular fully staffed team of ten. There are two new members and temporary help from Cranbrook RCMP who have helped cover while several officers are on leave.
This summer was a busy season with wildfire response being a major focus. Police worked with firefighters and Search and Rescue on evacuation plans, public safety and protecting evacuated homes. Most residents cooperated with the restrictions, though some people received ATV-related tickets for not following the rules or being in places they weren’t allowed.
A few notable investigations include police arresting a person and seizing firearms after reported threats against neighbours, and an investigation into copper pipe stolen from a business that is still awaiting Crown approval of charges.
In August the Community First Responder Golf Classic raised $25,000 for Search and Rescue.
Police are also working with Selkirk Secondary School, Fire, Emergency Health Services and Health Services to restart the PARTY program for students.
Other types of reports that were up this quarter include Assaults/Sexual Assaults/Threats/Harassment, Fraud/Firearms/Mischief/Property, Missing Persons/Sudden Death, and Drugs/Liquor.
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