The Town of Bonnyville will be looking to take on another RCMP member. The decision comes after discussion during Tuesday’s regular council meeting. The officer would be used as a replacement for the RCMP Enhanced Position member that the town used for bylaw enforcement since 2010. That position has since been scrapped after Shaz Khan was hired as a Peace Officer back in early January.
Town Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Bill Rogers says another RCMP officer would keep police numbers in the community at acceptable levels.
“Direction has been given to the administration to add an additional RCMP member so that the actual number of ‘Boots on the ground’ RCMP members won’t decrease with the termination of the Enhanced Position.”
In 2018, Bonnyville had budgeted for 13 RCMP officers and only ended up paying for 11. Rogers says the town is actually asking for more than they budgeted for.
“We asked for 13 and we’re hoping we’ll get at least 12 [RCMP officers]. We’re still budgeting for 12. We’re hoping we’ll come out with a wash.”
Council says the chance of more officers than they budgeted for is “unlikely” but if it does happen the RCMP reserve fund could cover the costs. The town will now have to send a letter to K Division in Edmonton requesting the new officer. No timeline on when a new member might be in town was given.