Town to support local RCMP

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Strathmore authorized Mayor Pat Fule to sign a letter of support regarding community peace officer command during the Feb. 19 regular meeting of council. 

Mark Pretzlaff, director of community and protective services for the Town of Strathmore, presented before council, administration received a report from the office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, Mike Ellis, requesting urgent action to redeploy operational control of community peace officers to the local law enforcement jurisdiction. In Strathmore’s case, this jurisdiction being the Strathmore RCMP detachment under Staff Sgt. Mark Wielgosz. 

“As the letter indicates, this is to support both federal and provincial efforts to combat illegal fentanyl trafficking and consumption,” said Pretzlaff. “They are trying to rally municipalities to cede operational command of community peace officers to the local law jurisdiction. The specific duties for these individuals has yet to be determined.”

The letter from the office of the Minister was received by the town, Feb. 14, with a deadline to authorize a letter of support by or before Feb. 19 to show support for the initiative. 

Fule explained the initiative was launched extremely quickly by the United Conservative Party with the concept of bylaw officers being used to supplement and support RCMP in communities where there is great concern from the province regarding fentanyl use, trafficking, and border security. 

“This is planned to be a temporary initiative, and it is something that the midsize cities’ mayors caucus has also supported and a letter has been sent out,” said Fule. “This is a very high priority, time sensitive one that the UCP feels is incredibly important.”

Coun. Richard Wegener expressed concern about the program, asking whether community protection officers would be subject to increased risk taken on as a result of being assigned to RCMP duties.

Kevin Scoble, chief administrative officer for the Town of Strathmore, explained the intent of the program is to have community protection officers effectively addressing more regular duties RCMP officers would normally handle, which would free up police resources to be more focused on fentanyl-related crimes.

Community protection officers would not be expected to be involved in criminal investigations or activation activities or stake outs – rather report to the local officer in command to receive tasks such as civil and social disorder issues so that RCMP members can attack fentanyl issues. 

“An example would be if there is a homeless person who needs attending to, quite often RCMP does that now, so instead, CPOs may be doing that so that the RCMP remain focused on the fentanyl issue,” said Scoble. 

A compensation model which is being developed by the federal government is currently underway, which would address additional funding required to support CPOs taking on additional duties and perhaps significant overtime hours. 

Scoble explained it is possible CPOs may be required to extend their shift hours from regular eight-hour days to 12-hour days during this temporary assignment period.