Police commission putting bid in

By Trevor Busch
Taber Times
tbusch@tabertimes.com

The Taber Municipal Police Commission (TMPC) has resolved to submit a bid for Taber to host the 2016 Alberta Association of Police Governance conference.

At their Feb. 18 meeting, the commission voted unanimously to prepare a bid for the 2016 conference, based on information provided by commission representative Harry Prummel, who led an investigative team to determine the suitability of the community and its facilities for hosting the two-day May 2016 conference.

Prummel had been appointed by the commission in mid-January to head the investigative team, but was absent from the Feb. 18 meeting.

“In the report I did get from Mr. Prummel, he as per the request from last meeting, approached the chamber of commerce in regards to this,” said Chair Ken Holst. “The chamber themselves think this is an excellent idea to be able to host it, and think it would be a great opportunity for the town. He also checked with the Heritage (Inn) — the Heritage has the capacity to be able to hold what is required for it. He (Prummel) feels it would be a good idea, the chamber feels it would be a good idea.”

Traditionally, the AAPG conference alternates on an annual basis between Calgary, Edmonton and smaller centres in the province, and usually attracts between 65 and 95 participants each year. In January, the AAPG was seeking proposals from interested communities, which prompted discussion on the idea by members of the commission at that time.

“The fact that we voice our interest in hosting doesn’t guarantee that we are going to host it,” said Holst. “It’s really an application or a bid. But if it’s something we want to do, we need to get that in and show that interest.”

The AAPG conference provides training sessions, panel discussions, and plenary presentations to further the professional development and networking opportunities of its members.

“Mr. Chairman, personally I feel it’s not a bad idea, if we have the resources to arrange it, and it’s not an extra burden on commission members — why not host it and bring some money into the town,” said commission representative Murray Gardner.

The AAPG conference requires a meeting room that can accommodate 100 people, other meeting rooms for 30 or 40 people, and one or more hotels available in close proximity to the conference venue that can accommodate no fewer than 75 rooms for conference participants.

Hosting proposals are being accepted by the AAPG between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28, 2015.

A decision on the host community for 2016 will be made in March 2015.