Richard Froese
People living in rural regions value services provided by local municipalities and provincial and federal governments.
Rural crime has been a concern for many years and municipalities such as Big Lakes County have been lobbying the Alberta RCMP to strengthen services to protect communities.
Perseverance has paid off for Big Lakes council, which previously lobbied the RCMP to make the Faust RCMP a stand-alone detachment for almost two years.
Faust RCMP became its own detachment Dec. 1, 2024 after being under the operations of the High Prairie RCMP for many years.
It has been a priority for Big Lakes council since Feb. 8, 2023 when it was suggested by Faust Councillor Robert Nygaard who was the reeve at the time.
The news was reported by Kinuso Councillor Roberta Hunt at the Big Lakes council meeting Jan. 22 during correspondence, which included a letter dated Dec. 5, 2024 from Rob Hill, Deputy Commissioner, Commanding Officer for Alberta RCMP.
Hill updated council about a brief meeting he had with Big Lakes representatives at the fall convention of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta held Nov. 4-7, 2024.
He also appreciated continued discussions on Big Lakes’ desire for a sergeant for Faust detachment.
Hunt says Faust RCMP and Kinuso residents are pleased the detachment operates on its own. She adds residents in her ward are happy to see an increased presence of police officers driving around the community.
Big Lakes used its briefing document for a sergeant for Faust RCMP as a valuable tool to lobby the RCMP.
“Council’s goal is to have the Faust and High Prairie detachments work as two independent detachments that can work together when need be,” the document says.
“Therefore, a sergeant in Faust would be ideal for aiding the entire region, including High Prairie, Slave Lake, and Swan Hills.”
Hill says the Alberta RCMP is committed to working with Big Lakes.
“As your police service, we must listen, be responsive and tailor our services to meet the needs of your community,” Hill wrote in the letter.
“Along with your direct conversations with detachment leadership, the discussion we had and feedback we received at our meeting helps us ensure we are responding to your priorities, and can continue to provide innovative, proactive police services to a community we are proud to serve.”
Big Lakes and many other municipalities use briefing documents to lobby provincial government ministers.
Former Central Peace MLA and cabinet minister Hector Goudreau gave some advice to Big Lakes council several years ago when council discussed an issue that council was lobbying government for.
When he was asked for advice about lobbying government, he had a simple message.
Be persistent and never give up.