Alberta
Medicine Hat
Nine community peace officers (Level One) are embedded within the Medicine Hat Police Service to offer a more effective and consistent enforcement model for the community.
The key objectives of the initiative are to provide cost-effective and efficient policing to the community while providing a wide range of enforcement under one umbrella. Savings can be found in reduced administrative costs, shared records management and shared support services. Efficencies are found with a one-stop enforcement agency that covers all policing duties including bylaw enforcement. Authorities of the community peace officers include enforcement of the Traffic Safety Act, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, a portion of the Gaming and Liquor Act, Dangerous Dogs Act, Tobacco Reduction Act, Prevention of Youth Tobacco Use Act, as well as serving summons and subpoenas for court detail and fingerprinting persons charged with criminal offences.
The Municipal Bylaw Enforcement section specifically deals with this initiative under the Operational Services Division Inspector's supervision.
Fred CrittendenFred.Crittenden@mhps.ca
Consultative for the Police Commission.
The current model has been in place since the mid-1980s.
Efficiencies in service delivery and reduction of duplication in administrative overhead.
Initially, office space was created in the main headquarters, and vehicles and equipment were provided from the previous arrangement, but some new acquisitions were obtained, lines of supervision were arranged and budgeting processes changed so that the program would fall within the Medicine Hat Police Service budget.
The program was phased in with one bylaw officer in mid-1980s, additional staff in mid-1990s and completion in 2009. As community needs grew, the police service responded with increased staff along with added responsibilities.
The initiative has been successful in coordinating improved enforcement of bylaws, increasing customer satisfaction, and reducing overall costs to the municipality.
No
Communications related to bylaw enforcement have been included in all police service communications initiatives, including social media and website.
Yes
Survey results.
N/A
2013-08-01