PENTICTON, B.C. — More Mounties are needed to investigate livestock crime in British Columbia.
The B.C. Cattlemen’s Association passed a resolution asking for two investigators to replace retired RCMP Cpl. Frank Overby, who left the job in early 2015.
“We think it is not unreasonable to have two livestock detectives considering the size of the province,” rancher John Anderson of Merritt said at the association’s annual meeting in Penticton May 26-28.
The association met with RCMP representatives at the end of last year and a report was forwarded, but nothing has happened, said manager Kevin Boon.
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The southern RCMP district previously funded the investigator, but the association may have to get a meeting with the province to find financial support.
Bob Miller, head of the brand inspection service Ownership Identification Inc., is dubious anyone will be reinstated.
“We just continue to get the runaround,” he said.
“It is a sensitive topic. In this industry, we certainly need someone or two in this role.”
The BCCA’s livestock protection committee created a video to train members in local detachments about dealing with livestock complaints. More constables are from different backgrounds and do not understand rural issues as well as they might have in the past, said Larry Garrett, who chairs the committee.
He also suggested local RCMP members should be invited to attend regional stockmen’s meetings so they meet the farmers and learn what is needed in the field.
