Contractual Delays Hamper RCMP Response to Stabbing Rampage and Manhunt in Saskatchewan
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) faced significant challenges in responding to a stabbing rampage and subsequent manhunt in Saskatchewan due to contractual delays, according to internal emails obtained through freedom of information laws. The specialized RCMP team responsible for high-risk situations, known as the Emergency Response Team-Special Activities Group (ERT-SAG), was not immediately available to assist in the case because they were in between contracts.
The incident occurred on September 4, 2022, when Myles Sanderson, 32, went on a stabbing spree, killing eleven people and injuring seventeen. Chaos ensued as Sanderson moved from home to home on the James Smith Cree Nation and in the nearby village of Weldon. Police launched a manhunt and eventually arrested Sanderson four days later, after which he died in custody.
Emails between high-ranking Mounties, including Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore and Deputy Commissioner Brian Brennan, reveal the efforts made to catch up to Sanderson’s movements. The RCMP considered seeking assistance from ERT-SAG in Ottawa, which specializes in tactical responses and provides support to local detachments. However, it was discovered that the team was unavailable at that time due to contract negotiations.
The delay in accessing ERT-SAG raised concerns about public safety, given the severity of the situation. Saskatchewan RCMP had requested their assistance, but the team could not be deployed immediately due to the contractual situation. The National Police Federation, representing RCMP officers, emphasized that they would not compromise public safety over bargaining.
While RCMP headquarters confirmed that the specialized team eventually deployed to Saskatchewan in response to the killings, the exact timing and duration of the delay caused by contract negotiations were not disclosed.
James Smith Cree Nation Chief Wally Burns expressed emotional distress when looking back on the mass killing and emphasized the importance of prompt resources in preventing the killer from moving freely within the community and province. Even a few hours of delay could have made a difference, highlighting the critical nature of time in such incidents.
Despite the initial delay, the RCMP eventually received significant support from various detachments across the country, with over 160 employees from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, and Ontario RCMP, as well as municipal partner agencies, working tirelessly during the manhunt. The province also received air support from RCMP units in Alberta and Ontario.
Overall, while contractual delays hampered the initial response of the specialized RCMP team, resources were eventually mobilized to address the situation. The incident serves as a reminder of the crucial role that timely and effective law enforcement responses play in ensuring public safety during critical incidents.
