RCMP to Officially open Cornwall Detachment

CORNWALL, ON, Dec. 11 /CNW/ - Today the members and employees of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cornwall Detachment welcome the RCMP Commissioner William J.S. Elliott and local dignitaries to the official opening of the new detachment building.

"The RCMP is hard at work in the Cornwall Community with our partners from the Cornwall Community Police, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Canada Border Services Agency," said RCMP Commissioner William Elliott . "This new detachment will help us work together even more effectively to fight smugglers and organized crime, maintain border security and protect the residents of Cornwall and the surrounding area."

The RCMP has amalgamated its Cornwall resources into one facility. This new detachment will dramatically increase our capacity to conduct our investigations, improve accountability and optimize our partnerships, while providing the highest quality of service. The focus of the RCMP efforts in Cornwall will remain on federal statute enforcement, customs and excise, anti-smuggling initiatives, gathering of intelligence, investigation and dismantling of organized crime, and border security.

"This Government is committed to giving law enforcement the tools they need to make communities safe," said Guy Lauzon , Member of Parliament for Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry on behalf of Public Safety Minister Hon. Peter Van Loan . "This new and modern facility demonstrates how we are meeting these goals by investing in better infrastructure."

"This move has been in the works for quite some time, so we are all excited it is here," said Detachment Commander, Inspector Tim Kimpan. "The new detachment has been operational since October 8th, 2009 but we are looking forward to the official launch today."

"This new location will better support our operations and we look forward to continuing to work with our valued law enforcement and community partners in the region," said A/Commr. Mike McDonell the Commanding Officer of the RCMP in Ontario. "You may not see our uniform on the street every day but be assured that we are here working hard to ensure safe homes and safe communities in this region."

The first RCMP Detachment in Cornwall was opened on May 1st, 1932 . The detachment consisted of offices and quarters and was located at the corner of Pitt and Second Street. Early in 1954, the Seaway project came to Cornwall, greatly increasing the significance of the Cornwall Detachment. On July 16, 1954 , the Commissioner authorized the purchase of a building located on First Street. The new building was occupied on February 11, 1955 . In early 1966 it was decided to move the Cornwall Detachment to Long Sault . The detachment remained in Long Sault until 1981. It was then moved back to Cornwall where it occupied rental accommodation.

The new Cornwall Detachment will consist of 50 employees including well trained and motivated investigators, intelligence officers, and support staff. The detachment will continue to serve the citizens of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Township and Prescott and Russell Townships.

For further information: Sgt. Marc LaPorte, Media Relations Officer, Office: [phone], Cell: [phone]; Sgt. Michael Harvey, Cornwall RCMP Detachment, Office: [phone]