St. Paul to hire second Community Peace Officer

After the St. Paul Council meeting, the Town of St. Paul is looking to hire a second Community Peace Officer and join the Municipal Enforcement team. 

On June 26, at the St. Paul Council meeting the high demand of hiring a second Community Peace Officer was brought to the council’s attention. 

A little over a year ago, St. Paul had three Peace Officers. Then after October, November, and December 2022, there were zero officers in town after each relocating.

Director of Protective Services & Emergency Management, Trevor Kotowich, brought the challenges they are facing with only having one Peace Officer on duty. 

“We simply cannot meet the demands and calls for service we are facing with one officer,” said Kotowich. 

“We cannot give the level of service the community expects. And certainly can’t provide a presence at events on weekends.

“We are asked constantly almost on a weekly basis to have a presence.”

The calls for services have not decreased in St. Paul with vandalism and animal control calls only going up.

Since 2016, on average they had 800 files per year and 413 files last year not including the 125 calls asking for service/presence. 

Since the town only has one, level 1 Peace Officer who is enforcing all town bylaws, due to the significant workload experienced by the officer, the concern of burn-out, and the ability to respond to the community needs is a huge concern. 

Kotowich recommended that from the pool of applicants received in November 2022, an employment offer be made to a successful candidate. In addition to a position, he asks that they invest in the candidates training. 

The training would include going through the Community Peace Officer Induction Program in Lac La Biche from August to November. 

Following completion, they would receive an appointment from the province and would then become an employee of the Town of St. Paul.

“Hiring a local person as a Peace Officer brings numerous advantages to our community,” said Kotowich.

“Their familiarity with the local area, cultural competence, and ability to build strong relationships with community members contribute to a safer and more harmonious environment.”

In previous years, the Town applied for a subsidy to help with the hiring of a second Community Peace Officer, but they did not receive it.

The unbudgeted cost would be $18,400.

Partnership between the RCMP and Peace officers was also discussed.

Currently, they are working side by side in a foot patrol program going on downtown mainstreet. 

This hopes to create relationships, engaging people about the bylaws and enforcing the bylaws where necessary. 

“We’ve always been in a partnership with our RCMP, so it’s nice just to be able to reinforce that relationship and continue.” said Maureen Miller, Mayor of St. Paul. 

Two options were presented to Council, and they went ahead and approved the request to hire a Community Peace Officer, and provide the officers training.

To become part of the St. Paul Municipal Enforcement team visit https://www.stpaul.ca/public/download/files/231941  for details of this position and how to apply.

Deadline for applicants is July 14.