In March of 2022, the Police Amendment Act 2022 included measures that would enhance transparency, accountability and civilian involvement. One such measure was the introduction of the requirement for all municipalities with a population over 15,000 that are policed by the RCMP to establish local governance bodies. On June 26, 2023, Grande Prairie City Council amended Bylaw C-1455 to implement a Policing Committee for Grande Prairie made up of current Grande Prairie Police Commission members.
The Policing Committee is responsible for:
- overseeing the administration of the Municipal Police Service Agreement (MPSA);
- assisting in selecting the Officer in Charge (OIC);
- in consultation with the OIC, developing year plan;
- issuing instructions to the OIC respecting the yearly plan;
- representing the interests and concerns of the public;
- assisting the OIC in resolving complaints; and
- designating a Public Complaint Director
The Grande Prairie Policing Committee held their first meeting on July 13, 2023. At their first meeting they appointed their first Chair, Dan Wong, first Vice Chair, Natalia Reiman, implemented their first Policy & Procedure Manual, and appointed their first Public Complaint Director, Lorrie Sitler.
For more information, and to view their meeting agendas and minutes, please visit their webpage
Grande Prairie Policing Committee