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For helping the RCMP to corral a local fugitive, a trio of Manitoba border guards have been suspended without pay for leaving their posts, according to their union.

“They should be decorated, not punished,” said Jean-Pierre Fortin, president of the Customs and Immigration Union, which represents members of the Canadian Border Services Agency.

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The incident occurred Feb. 27 near the Emerson border crossing, one of only three 24-hour border crossings between Manitoba and the United States.

As per the union, two Emerson RCMP officers had zeroed in on a local hotel containing a man wanted on outstanding warrants — and suspected of being armed.

They should be decorated, not punished

With a population of only 700, Emerson’s RCMP detachment consists of only one corporal and four constables. At the time, backup units were apparently either unavailable, or located 30 minutes away in Morris.

Instead, the Mounties radioed in assistance from the Pembina-Emerson Port of Entry, a border crossing located just 3.4 kilometres to the west. As per the Customs and Immigration Union, the border’s superintendent quickly rushed to the scene along with two officers.