M.D. Rural Policing Committee looking for public members

The M.D. of Bonnyville is looking for community members for their rural police committee.

The Rural Community Policing Committee is designed as a way to improve communication and set priorities for law enforcement in the municipality, said Reeve Greg Sawchuk.

“What does this really came out of was a need for better communication between the M.D., our residents, the RCMP, and the peace officers,” said Sawchuk.

The M.D. hopes the result will be better law enforcement.

The committee will receive reports from RCMP Staff Sergeants and the Director of Public Safety, Chris Garner about policing issues, trends, and initiatives.

It will consist of two M.D. councillors, two public members, Cold Lake RCMP S/Sgt. Scott Buchanan, Bonnyville RCMP S/Sgt. Sarah Parke, Director of Public Safety Chris Garner, and the M.D.’s public safety analyst.

It will also be a chance for residents to voice their concerns about crime in the area.

“All those folks are going to be involved. We’re going to be advertising for members at large to be on that committee. Its focus is rural, the country. We have different needs, obviously, than the folks in town or in the city. We want to have that regular communication with the RCMP and be able to put across our concerns,” said Sawchuk.

At the M.D. council meeting last Wednesday, council leaned towards having representation from the eastern and western areas of the municipality to get a better view of what’s happening around the M.D.

The Public Safety Department will field the applications for the two available Public Member positions. They require an RCMP criminal record check.