Council discussed the purchase of a Police Interceptor vehicle at the Town of Hanna regular council meeting held on Aug. 13.
In 2022, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was established with the Special Areas Board and the Town of Hanna, with terms and conditions for peace officer services for the town.
Peace officers were to be directed by the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and to focus on enforcing municipal bylaws, including those related to unsightly properties, on-street parking, sidewalk snow removal, garbage issues, noise and business licensing.
In the fall of 2022, the Special Areas Board informed the Town of Hanna that the agreement was not viable due to difficulties in recruiting peace officers.
The town agreed and issued a termination letter for the Municipal Enforcement Agreement on Dec. 16, 2022.
Prior to this, administration had entered discussions with Tracy Raypold, who at the time did not hold current Community Peace Officer (CPO) status but expressed willingness to partner with the town on a cost-sharing basis.
Raypold agreed to undertake the necessary training to achieve CPO Level I status, leading to a new agreement with her to provide municipal enforcement services effective Jan. 1, 2023.
Since the agreement’s inception, administration has worked with Raypold to upgrade the town’s Municipal Enforcement operations.
Raypold has completed the required training to achieve CPO Level I certification and the town has received authorization from Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services to employ peace officers as of July 19, 2024.
CPO Level I status offers several advantages, including standardized training, broader access to provincial databases for investigations and the ability to wear safety equipment. It also gives the peace officer authority under various provincial acts, such as the Animal Protection Act, Dangerous Dogs Act, and Traffic Safety Act.
Officer Raypold is now permitted to wear a uniform and drive a peace officer vehicle.
“Ultimately what I am doing right now is very unsafe for me,” stated Officer Raybold, referring to performing her job without a uniform or an identifying vehicle.
Officer Raypold currently drives the town’s office vehicle. An identifiable patrol vehicle would establish a visible law enforcement presence, which historically has proven to reduce criminal activity and deter violations.
The vehicle would also provide a secure environment for investigations and patrols and increase officer safety and compliance with Alberta Occupational Health and Safety legislation.
“Law enforcement is very volatile, you have to approach it carefully,” noted Officer Raybold. “It’s not as simple as writing a ticket.”
“We know the fabric of the community has changed,” stated Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Kim Neill, “people are more aggressive.”
Coun. Sandra Murphy agreed, noting that people struggling with serious addictions can be unpredictable.
“There is an increase in incidents at a municipal level,” stated Officer Raypold, referring to some of the population’s “mistrust of government or not liking any type of authority.”
The vehicle will also enhance mobility and response times across Hanna’s jurisdiction, which includes residential and commercial properties, Fox Lake Municipal Campground, and the Municipal Airport.
The vehicle is equipped with new enforcement-related equipment which would reduce RCMP calls, provide access to provincial fine options, shift prosecution costs to the province, and enhance officer safety in line with provincial legislation.
Council passed a motion to purchase a 2014 Ford Taurus Police Interceptor vehicle from the Town of Beaverlodge in the amount of $15,000 plus tax, subject to a satisfactory vehicle inspection and that the vehicle come fully equipped with the exception of a Town of Hanna enforcement decal.
Cheryl Bowman
Multimedia reporter
ECA Review
