“We felt badly that people didn’t get the opportunity to share their experiences with the peace officers and what they may have done to file a complaint so that’s why we are having this meeting,” said Mary Scullion, one of the organizers of last Tuesday’s private meeting held at the Ramada hotel.
Scullion and fellow organizers say they decided to host a second meeting about peace officers after the initial meeting on April 14 prevented some people from voicing their opinions after tempers flared. Last week’s meeting saw more organization than the first, with Mel Bobocel chairing the event. Bobocel explained to the more than 30 people in attendance that the issues with the peace officer program are still prominent in the community and that certain issues need to be looked at by county administration.
“We want accountability, transparency and fairness with the program. It’s not saying that there is any flaws with the program but if there is, they need to be addressed,” said Bobocel.
Several people at the meeting said they believe there are some issues with the program, including the rising number of complaints against the officers and the lack of education about the peace officers’ job duties. Meeting organizer Debbie Rizzoli agreed that these are important issues that need to be addressed, which is why residents need to come together as a group.
“It’s time we quit talking over the water coolers and at the coffee shops and appear in front of council as a delegation,” she said.
Meeting organizers emphasized that people need to voice their complaints to county administration either verbally or in writing, but some people at the meeting stressed that there are some residents who are afraid to complain after seeing what happened at the last meeting. Bobocel explained that although the last discussion might not have gone smoothly, people shouldn’t be afraid to complain about the peace officers who work for the community.
“Please don’t be afraid to complain, these people work for us. They work for us to facilitate our lives by making our community safe,” he said.
Scullion and Rizzoli explained to attendees that after hearing people’s concerns, they plan to write a letter to the Lac La Biche County council and administration, asking them to address the concerns of residents by educating the public on the objectives of the peace officer program and the role of the officers.
“If you have had an injustice done to you, then your voice needs to be heard,” said Rizzoli.
The women say they plan on sending the letter to council and county administration within the next few weeks.
Lac La Biche County staff say they are aware of some of the concerns of residents and they are also looking at addressing the issue in the “near future,” according to Manager of Protective Services Mitch Newton.