Grimshaw rejects Peace River’s police change study grant opportunity
"It was suggested that the recommendations received could then be considered by the ministry for additional policing support, like that received by the cities to fund additional sheriff and transit police."
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Peace River invited multiple communities to take part in an Indigenous and municipal police transition study grant.
Grimshaw announced their rejection of involvement at their Oct. 25 council meeting.
The study grant assists areas with looking at issuing different policing models such as regional or local, self-administered.
Grimshaw is very happy with the RCMP, says Mayor Wendy Wald, and doesn’t feel the need to look for alternative policing services.
MD of the Peace no. 135, Grimshaw, County of Northern Lights (CNL), and Northern Sunrise County (NSC) were sent a letter on the topic from Peace River CAO Barbara Miller.
A Peace River council motion stated the grant is to collect data for future policing complement requirements. They’ve been dealing with prison inmate releases and are seeking mobile outreach funding to help with social disorder.
Services provided from Peace River’s recently established mobile outreach unit include helping business owners with concerns regarding the homeless population and referrals to community agencies.
Peace River has been asked to apply for the grant by Minister of public safety and emergency services Mike Ellis after discussing their area’s issues.
“The study would identify the uniqueness of our situation. It was suggested that the recommendations received could then be considered by the ministry for additional policing support, like that received by the cities to fund additional sheriff and transit police,” wrote Miller.
Each community applying could receive up to $30,000.
“We must emphasise that this study is not meant to suggest anything negative about the services provided by our hard-working RCMP detachment. It is simply meant to align with municipal best practice of periodic program review, which we do with other programs and services provided to our ratepayers from time to time.”
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