SANDRA M STANWAY
Brooks Bulletin
City council has established a bylaw for a police committee.
The provincial government mandated that RCMP-policed municipalities with more than 15,000 people are to form or join a policing committee to oversee policing operations.
Earlier this year the city decided that rather than join the Southern Alberta District committee, they would form their own and received approval.
“It’s likely that the population of Brooks will be over 15,000 when the next federal census is completed. Our past detachment commander felt that Brooks has unique challenges in policing that other communities within the southern Alberta district may not face,” said Amy Rommens, the city’s manager of administration.
The board will be made up of between three and seven voting members who, after completing an enhanced RCMP security check, will be appointed during the city’s fall organizational meeting for a three year term.
Depending on the size of the committee, the minister may appoint up to two members.
The province will cover the cost of the first round of applicants including paying for the security checks.
“In the future this will be the responsibility of the city,” Rommens said.