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Taber Municipal Police Commission briefs for September

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Taber Times
TIMES FILE PHOTO

The following are selected briefs of the Sept. 15 regular meeting of the Taber Municipal Police Commission.

Award Recognition

The commission recognized Taber Police Service Chief Graham Abela, who was recently honoured with the Police Exemplary Service Medal.

Former CAO Greg Birch Recognition

The commission recognized former CAO Greg Birch and his efforts working with the TMPC. Birch’s last day with the Town of Taber was Sept. 17.

“We’re very, very grateful for all your work, for all your help, to me as chairman of the commission, as a commission member, and as a person, you’ve been a tremendous help,” said Chair Ken Holst. “We are where we are today because of your work, and your assistance, and your dedication to this. Personally, I’m extremely sad to see you move on.”

Birch was presented with a collection of fresh-baked pies and other dainties as a gift for his time working with the commission.

Taber Police Service Adult Community Survey 2016

The commission received a report on the survey from Cst. Andrew Evanson, who detailed the contents, including analysis and conclusions.

The TMPC voted unanimously to accept the report as information.

Taber Police Service Strategic Plan 2016-2021

The commission reviewed the TPS Strategic Plan 2016-2019, which outlines the service’s mission and vision statements, identification of core services, key strategic priorities, and goals to be achieved.

The TMPC voted unanimously to accept the report as information.

Chief Graham Abela’s Report (June – August)

The following excerpts and statistical information are taken directly from Chief Abela’s report to the commission.

POLICE

Community Involvement: “Participated in the corn judging at Cornfest; Chris Nguyen transferred command of the local 225 Air Cadet Squadron but is still actively involved in the group; addressed the B. Ed. class at the University of Calgary and spoke about the police and the interface with education.”

Training: “All officers are registered in suicide prevention training through the Canadian Police Knowledge Network; new Taser training completed; Cst. Schneider successfully passed the PROS user course; Sgt. Kehler, Meggison and Chief Abela to attend Amber Alert training in Medicine Hat; Cst. Valgardson will be attending Intoxilyzer transition training in Edmonton this fall; Cst. Fudge and Cst. Evanson will be attending ISEP 200 training in Medicine Hat in the fall; Cst. Champagne is undergoing leadership/management education in Victoria, B.C., with Royal Roads University in September; training plan is submitted for the up and coming budget planning cycle.”

Equipment: “Three garage door springs are repaired; chairs ordered for office; Intoxilyzer maintenance completed at Calgary Police Service; Eventide recorder replaced.”

Personnel: “Cst. Schneider is undergoing field training with Cst. Johnson; Victor Cursons hired as new casual guard.”

Operational: “Sgt. Meggison and Dana Bell have been working on e-disclosure, allowing the service to confidentially send disclosure packages to the Crown for their review and dissemination using Adobe Pro and bookmarking the e-package. The e-method allows for the Crown to receive disclosure in a more timely fashion, alleviates the need to print and photocopy, and stores the package for removal by defense council. The service has already beta-tested the process and it works. The service is working on an overall system to ensure efficacy at the police service and the program should be running full steam ahead; survey was completed and report submitted to the community; environmental scan document completed; budget preparation undertaken with the direction to create a three-year rolling operating budget; Cst. Evanson completed a lengthy and complex investigation of major fraud, with the matter before the courts; Cornfest was relatively quiet for police, who responded to approximately 40 occurrences over the weekend, including the issuance of four liquor tickets, five people arrested for public intoxication, one impaired driver arrested and charged, and one person arrested for obstructing a police officer by giving a false name.”

COMMUNICATIONS/9-1-1

Equipment: “Our Eventide recorder was failing and needed to be replaced. This was an emergency purchase, however, we did have the capital money to do so. Item came in under budget, install came in at about $1,500 and is completed; Alberta 9-1-1 Standards are being rolled out and Bell has been involved in the creation of the standards and is working with their team on implementation. We have been working with TELUS to build 9-1-1 capacity into the fire hall for our back-up 9-1-1 centre. The fire hall has a backup generator and is a great location for the backup centre. Thanks to Chief Munshaw for partnering in this initiative. We have had two teleconferences this summer with TELUS and a plan is now being drafted to ensure business continuity. We are awaiting a price to include in budget deliberations this fall.”

Training: “Two communications operators are registered for the active shooter dispatch training.”

COMMUNITY PEACE OFFICER

Community Involvement: “Our CPO was involved in two bike rodeos this month.”

Personnel: “Summer students are working and doing well by all accounts; CPO Bullock resigned his position in early August. We thank Brandon for his years of service to the community and wish him well in his future endeavours. We are currently reviewing the CPO program; with the up and coming budget deliberations, we have been reviewing our CPO program and animal control facility agreement. We will be posting to fill the CPO vacancy. Our summer staff have been re-hired to carry out some bylaw duties while we hire a new CPO.”

Year to Date Statistical Comparison

The initial number in the following information pertains to year-to-date statistical information for 2016, while the secondary number refers to year-to-date statistical information for 2015.

Traffic: Impaired operation of a motor vehicle 28 (31), dangerous operation of a motor vehicle 0 (1), traffic collisions 73 (73), other Criminal Code 4 (4), provincial traffic offences 1229 (1511). Liquor Act: 102 offences (95). Other Criminal Code: 125 offences (133); offensive weapons 7 (7), corruption/public mischief 4 (5). Drug Enforcement: Trafficking 17 (12), possession 27 (26), other 5 (4). Crimes Against a Person: Sexual offences 13 (8), robbery/extortion/harassment/threats 72 (53), offences death-related or endangering life 1 (0), kidnapping/hostage/abduction 3 (0), assaults 64 (46). Crimes Against Property: Theft under $5,000 88 (88), theft over $5,000 18 (16), possession of stolen goods 11 (9), fraud 28 (25), break and enter 29 (16), arson 0 (1), mischief 96 (101). Bylaw: Traffic 43 (21), non-traffic calls 268 (317).

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