Dawson Creek proposes policy to improve self-defence measures for bylaw officers

DAWSON CREEK — The City of Dawson Creek has proposed a policy to give bylaw officers better self-defence measures to help deal with difficult individuals and high-tension conflicts.

The Defensive Measures Policy introduced at council’s January 15th meeting intends to increase city bylaw officers’ safety and ability to protect themselves while carrying out their duties, particularly involving cases of drug addiction and mental illness. 

“City bylaw enforcement officers are more often having to interact with individuals experiencing mental illness/disorders and drug addiction, elevating the complexity of the interaction and the risk to the bylaw officers,” read a report to council on Monday.

“In the case of mental health and addictions, the province and society as a whole have seen an increase in violence by individuals experiencing these hardships towards RCMP, Peace Officers, and Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Officers.”

The policy provides a clear process for escalating force according to the National Use of Force Model.

The policy allows officers to carry defensive tools, such as batons and pepper spray, and lays out a process for an extensive investigation if they are used.

It also outlines the protective equipment required to be worn and the training required to carry out duties, as well as a clear cycle for re-certification of necessary training.

“City bylaw enforcement staff do work closely with the local RCMP, however, there will be many times when the RCMP can not be on the scene. For this reason, City Bylaw Enforcement Staff may have to act in self-defence to manage the situation and to get help,” said the report.

The policy only applies to direct city employees and not contracted staff, such as those who provide animal control services.

“We always want to prioritize the safety and well-being of staff and especially as the nature of our bylaw officers’ jobs have changed over the last little bit with respect to the kind of encounters they are having,” councillor Jerimy Earl said.

Enforcement officers have extensive training in using passive methods to gain compliance and de-escalate dangerous situations, but this is sometimes not enough, according to the report.

“It’s sad to note the necessity, and I hope this is just a matter of us acting out of an abundance of caution in seeing some of the things that have transpired in other communities,” Earl said.

Before council adopts the policy, the city is asking for feedback from residents. Members of the public who feel they may be affected by the policy can submit comments in writing by 4:30 p.m. on February 19th, 2024.

For more information on submitting comments to the city, click here.

The full report to council on the Defensive Measures Policy can be read below: