Bonnyville town council has approved a new Community Peace Officer program policy, a move administration says is needed to keep the local program aligned with provincial requirements.

During Tuesday’s regular meeting, administration said the Solicitor General’s Office requires municipal CPO programs to have policy direction that matches provincial specifications.

Rather than bringing repeated policy amendments back to council throughout the year, the Town will now rely on a supporting procedure manual for updates tied to changing requirements.

“The procedure manual will be updated rather than the policy to minimize the administrative impact on council meetings,” administration told council.

The Town also said the manual will become the main operational document for the program.

“The procedure manual becomes the source of the most current program requirements and the go-to in the day-to-day operations for both new and existing CPOs.”

Council approved the policy without discussion after administration’s presentation.

Promotion also recognized during meeting

Shortly after the vote, council paused the regular meeting to recognize an internal promotion connected to the CPO program.

Administration announced that Wanda had completed the Dalhousie leadership program and was now eligible to be promoted to a senior CPO position.

Mayor Elisa Brosseau and CAO Quinton Whitfley then presented her with epaulettes during the meeting.