The police union highlights severe understaffing, leading to burnout and mandatory overtime for officers in MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais
Gatineau: The police union in MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais is sounding the alarm. They say a shortage of officers is pushing the remaining staff to work overtime, creating a tough work environment.
Manuel Bandeira, the union president, mentioned that around a dozen positions are unfilled. This affects several towns in western Quebec, including Pontiac and Chelsea.
He pointed out that the pressure on the remaining officers is intense. They’re feeling the strain, and it’s not easy for them.
Jean-Mathieu Lafleur, the union’s vice-president, added that many younger officers are burning out. Some have even taken sick leave, which is unusual for a small police force.
Lafleur worries that if things don’t change soon, the police might just be in survival mode. He fears this could lead to even more sick leaves as officers get worn out.
Recruiting new officers is a big challenge, too. Lafleur believes the local administration needs to step up its game to attract and keep new talent.
He suggested that a competitive policy for hiring and retention could help bring in more recruits. Also, having higher-ranking officers available for overtime could ease the burden.
These staffing issues have been around since the last collective agreement was signed in 2023. Lafleur also mentioned a lack of communication between the union and management, prompting them to request a meeting with Marc Carrière, the warden of MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
Carrière is looking for a way to work together to solve these problems. He recently met with the union to discuss the challenges and hear their ideas.
He acknowledged that recruiting officers is a common struggle and plans to set up a committee to address the issue. Everyone agrees that solutions are needed.
