Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
At its regular council meeting on Sept. 8, Peace River town council approved all three readings of its Peace River Policing Committee Bylaw.
“The committees will be composed of council and public representatives, and the Province may appoint some representatives as well,” says Mayor Elaine Manzer.
“The committee will cause municipalities such as Peace River that have a Municipal Police Agreement (MPSA) to have this same type of policing committee,” she adds.
“There are guidelines for the formation of the committee, but the municipality can decide on the number of members.”
The Government of Alberta amended the Police Act to include a requirement for municipalities of certain sizes to form policing committees. The draft bylaw was reviewed and discussed at an August council meeting, with additional information received by the Province afterwards.
“The committee is to provide advice to the staff sergeant and to the council and represent the interests of the town’s ratepayers,” explains Manzer.
“So the committee is to oversee the administration of the MPSA, represent the interests and concerns of the public and council to the officer in charge, develop a yearly plan of priorities and strategies for community policing in consultation with the officer in charge, develop a community safety plan in conjunction with the local police detachment and the mayor, assist in the selection of the officer in charge, report annually or on request to the minister.”
Manzer says it is her understanding that the committee is mandatory for all communities over a certain size.
“It will provide another means to advise on policing priorities for the town,” she explains.
“The committee will have regular meetings with the Town CAO providing administrative support to the committee, including a recording secretary.”
Manzer says council will choose two council representatives and three public members and the minister may appoint up to two members.
“The committee formalizes the relationship and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the town for the oversight of the RCMP in the municipality,” Manzer concludes.
“It is an advisory committee and cannot direct administration on programs, services, business plans, finances, funding or structure,” she adds.