PRRD to invite detachment commanders in Peace region to review policing policies

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) plans to invite RCMP detachment commanders in the Peace region to a future committee of the whole meeting to provide a review of policing activities over the past year and identify priority issues for next year.

During the March 21st meeting, the board voted in favour of sending out invitations to RCMP detachments in Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Chetwynd, Tumbler Ridge, and Hudson’s Hope.

Before COVID-19, the PRRD received updates through the RCMP’s Annual Performance Plan (APP) to advocate for crime reduction policies and programs.

According to a report to the board, the APP was a method to improve local community consultation, accountability, and risk management. The plan also streamlines how the commanders discuss their community plans with mayors, councils, and regional districts.

The RCMP solicits input from residents, stakeholders, community leaders, and organizations to capture their communities’ needs, concerns, and issues.

The report says PRRD has been able to provide input into rural community policing priorities through annual meetings in past years.

Resuming these types of meetings would re-open a line of communication to allow the PRRD to be informed on policing challenges from each community, said the report.

The board is still determining when the RCMP delegation will be held, noting that it will be scheduled for sometime this year.

The PRRD report can be viewed below: