Ponoka appoints members of new Municipal Policing Committee

PONOKA -- Ponoka's new Municipal Policing Committee is beginning to take shape.

The committee, which is set to replace the town's former Police Advisory Committee, will hold various responsibilities once fully implemented including a mandate to establish local policing priorities and develop a new community safety plan. At their recent meeting, Ponoka Council appointed five members of the public to serve on the new committee along with two Councillors. 

Serving three-year terms will be Catherine Akins and Deborah Hycha, while Christopher MacKinnon, Chevi Rabbit, and Carolyn Gossen will serve two-year terms. Full approval of these appointees will be contingent on security checks, including a criminal record and vulnerable sector check. Representing the Town of Ponoka on the new Municipal Policing Committee will be Councillors Carla Lloyd and Cal David.

The new committee was created after the township was granted an exemption from the province to allow them to carry on with a municipal committee as opposed to joining a regional committee instead. Its duties will include overseeing the administration of the municipal police service agreement, representing the interests and concerns of the public, and reporting annually on the implementation of programs and services to achieve the priorities of the police service.

According to the Town of Ponoka, the new Municipal Policing Committee was established in compliance with amendments to the Alberta Police Act and regulations. It will perform its duties alongside Ponoka Town Council, the Ponoka RCMP Detachment's Officer in Charge, and Ponoka administration.