Profile: Ryan Hodge

Crime statistics in the Pincher Creek RCMP detachment area rose during the first three months of 2026. Sgt. Ryan Hodge says the numbers reflect the natural ebb and flow of rural policing statistics rather than a dramatic shift in community safety.

According to Pincher Creek RCMP’s January-to-March policing report, total Criminal Code offences increased 32 per cent year over year, from 87 cases in 2025 to 115 in the same period this year.

Hodge says quarterly statistics in smaller rural detachments can fluctuate significantly and often do not reflect a clear underlying cause.

“I don’t know if there’s any real driver on that,” he says. “I think these things just kind of naturally go up and down.”

Persons offences return to previous levels

Persons crimes showed the largest increase among major categories, rising 94 per cent from 17 files in 2025 to 33 this year. This brings the category back in line with the previous three years, when persons offences ranged from 33 to 36 files per quarter.

Assault accounted for the largest share of that increase, climbing from 10 cases in 2025 to 15 in 2026.

“Persons crimes are really tough because it can be everything from a verbal dispute between two people to an actual physical assault,” Hodge says.

Criminal harassment increased from two cases in 2025 to nine in 2026, while uttering threats rose from three cases to eight.

By contrast, several serious offences recorded no incidents during the quarter. Sexual assaults dropped from two cases in 2025 to zero and there were no robberies, kidnappings or offences related to death.

Property crime increase tied partly to rural thefts

Property crime also increased, from 39 to 58 files.

The detachment’s quarterly report notes that clearance rates for property crime remained strong despite the uptick. Break-and-enter investigations have focused on commercial and industrial locations throughout the Pincher Creek area.

“We did see an increase in some of the break and enter and theft to rural properties, specifically more industrial properties,” he says. “We have a group of criminals that are targeting sites mostly for copper theft.”

Break-and-enter cases doubled from three in 2025 to six this year.

Hodge says the detachment is working with property owners and its crime-reduction unit to identify the individuals involved.

Theft under $5,000 saw the largest increase within the property category, rising from nine cases to 20.

“That could be just simply your shoplifting offences. Those things go up,” he says. “With the current state of the economy and people’s finances, that’s a normal thing that we see go up and down.”

Mischief causing property damage rose from 10 cases to 13. Theft over $5,000 went from zero reported cases in 2025 to two in 2026, while fraud rose slightly, from seven cases to eight. Theft of motor vehicles held steady at two cases.

Drug files remain low

Drug-enforcement files increased 67 per cent in the first quarter of 2026, from three cases to five.

“The percentages are very misleading, because we went from a three count to a five count. Only two more seizures and that’s hardly anything, really,” Hodge says.

He adds the total of five drug files remains “very, very low” overall for the detachment area.

Other report highlights

Mental Health Act-related files increased from 11 to 17 cases, while roadside alcohol suspensions rose from one to five. Property damage motor vehicle collisions also increased, from 32 to 37.

Several categories declined. Fail-to-comply and breach offences dropped from 20 to nine, liquor-related offences decreased from eight to one and injury-related motor vehicle collisions fell from two to zero.

Staffing pressures continue

The report also noted ongoing staffing pressures within the detachment.

Of 11 established RCMP officer positions, six members are working, two are away on parental leave and three positions remain vacant.

Hodge says staffing shortages do not appear to have had a direct impact on the increase. It is more likely to affect the detachment’s ability to investigate and solve files rather than influence whether crimes occur.

“A lot of these crimes are committed out of opportunity because rural locations have a lot of opportunity to commit crimes,” he says.

Scams remain a concern

The report also highlighted ongoing concerns about scams and fraud targeting residents, particularly seniors.

“It might be a grandparent scam one month, but the next month it’s something different,” Hodge says.

Online and telephone scams continue to evolve across Canada, making public education increasingly important. The detachment is planning future public awareness initiatives focused on elder scams.