Local RCMP address response time and potential provincial police force

By Cole Parkinson
Taber Times
cparkinson@tabertimes.com

After a previous comment at a Municipal District of Taber council meeting, the local RCMP had a reply in regard to response time in the municipality.

During the M.D.’s regular meeting held on Feb. 22, Cpl. Brian Weisbrod referenced a Taber Times story titled “Talks continue around Alberta Provincial Police” where council welcomed Cardston-Siksika MLA Joseph Schow which led to a discussion around provincial police. In particular, Weisbrod referenced a comment made by Coun. Brian Hildebrand where he commented on response time and how victims of crime feel during the process.

“A lot of the problem is there is not much clarity on how it would roll out. Just a couple of examples here — we have a long response time for rural crime and rural crime is an issue. We’ve had some incidents recently here, but it just takes a long time to get attention for criminal matters,” stated Coun. Brian Hildebrand.

“At the same time, we have huge duplication of enforcement of say the Traffic Act. We have fish and game, the provincial sheriffs, the town police, the RCMP, commercial vehicle inspectors, and peace officers can all issue speeding tickets. We have six or seven controlling the Traffic Act, yet when it comes to these criminal matters, it’s a very long response time. That makes it very confusing as to what the provincial police force will do or accomplish.”

“I just want to address a couple of things when it comes to response time,” began Weisbrod.

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