WESTLOCK – The Town of Westlock’s policing committee bylaw and policy manual have been rescinded, 2018 documents town councillors say aren’t needed due to a better working relationship with the local RCMP, combined with the fact a committee was never formed.
At their May 10 meeting councillors voted 7-0 to strike both from the town’s books, noting that the possibility of a provincial police force, as well as the notion of creating a regional policing committee with Westlock County as additional factors in their unanimous vote. Both documents passed in early 2018 and the town did advertise for positions on the committee, but there was only a handful of applicants and it never formed.
“There are some other things that are in play now that weren’t in 2018 when this was established. Of course, we know the province is looking at provincial policing and that could very well potentially change things for us,” CAO Simone Wiley explained. “As well as our neighbours (Westlock County) have started paying a portion of policing as well. They’ve recently brought up the possibility of doing a regional policing committee. And a policing committee isn’t mandatory, the town doesn’t have to have one.”
And while councillors liked the idea of having a committee, with Coun. Murtaza Jamaly saying “This committee has a purpose, I just don’t think it has a purpose right now,” increased communication with the Westlock RCMP has negated an immediate need.
“I think we’ve built a really good relationship with Staff Sgt. Al Baird and I’m not sure if it’s necessary right now to form a committee to get things across to him. They are being responsive and we’re heading in the right direction and with the Alberta government undecided on what they’re going to do with policing, I don’t know if we need to focus on a committee right now,” said Coun. Randy Wold.
“The major thing you’re looking for is communication. And I agree with the other councillors that I think we have a good rapport (with the RCMP) at this stage. And with all the changes that may be coming I don’t think this is the time that we really need it. Once the province makes their decisions and we know where things are going, I think sometime in November if you guys want to relook at this that would be great,” added Coun. John Shoemaker, who made the motion to rescind both.
Mayor Ralph Leriger agreed that the spectre of a provincial police force would change the scope of the committee, while Wiley went on to note that the 2018 policy and bylaw would need major revisions if the town and county partnered. The $2 million report by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC (PwC) on a potential transition from the Alberta RCMP to a provincial police service had been touted to be finished April 30.
“If the province chooses to go down that path and we do want to pursue a policing committee it would make sense to me at that time to discuss it with our rural partners about a more regional focus. I don’t believe that this bylaw or the policy manual would really be relevant if we went to a more regional focus,” said Leriger. “And heck, maybe even make it regional with the Town of Barrhead and County of Barrhead for it to have a larger regional focus on things.”
