Parents of slain Mountie call for beefed-up northern patrols

The parents of a Mountie shot and killed last month have called for beefed-up patrols in Northern Canada, joining their widowed daughter-in-law in asking for more protection for officers.

Mary Ann and John Worden say they are consumed by memories of their son, Const. Christopher Worden, whodied while working in Hay River, N.W.T.

The 30-year-old was shot and killed on Oct. 6 after responding alone to a call at a suspected drug house in the small community.

Hisparents told CBC News on Friday they believe their son should have had backup when he answered the call.

"I think if there were two officers, it certainly would have been a different situation," said Mary Ann Worden.

"I definitely think you improve your odds," said John Worden.

A day earlier, Worden's widow, Jodie, told CBC News she thinks two officers must answer each call.

"Things would have been different. I believe Chris would have been alive. If shots had been fired, the second officer would have been able to return fire," Worden said.

Jodie Worden said the RCMP doesn't understand the demands and expectations placed on Mounties in the North, and she accused the force of not doing enough to keep its members safe.

Her comments came after the death of a second RCMP officer earlier this week. Const. Douglas Scott, 20, was shot and killed Monday night while responding to a drunk-driving complaint in Kimmirut, Nunavut.

Representatives of RCMP rank-and-file officers are on side with the Worden family.

Brian Roach, an executive with the RCMP's staff relations program, said two officers should respond to each call in the North and the force shouldn't send new recruits to isolated detachments.

"These members have to be in areas where there is years of experience around and they have to spend the time with those people before we put them into these postings," he said.

Help is never far: Ottawa chief

Ottawa's new police chief disagrees, saying officers in the North have adequate backup.

Vernon White, who worked in Kimmirut, the community where Scott died, said help is never very far away in small towns.

"His backup was closer sometimes than police officers in southern Canada's backup is," said White.

The RCMP declined to comment on the Worden family's remarks.

Emrah Bulatci has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Worden.