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RCMP in school officer to be replaced by Peace Officer

Lac La Biche County Council has voted to replace the RCMP in-school officer by hiring a new Peace Officer. Since October 2009, RCMP Const. Megan Purton has worked in four area schools as a Community Liaison Officer.
Council voted to replace the RCMP in school officer with a Peace Officer. School officials say they’re happy as long as law enforcement continues to have a presence in
Council voted to replace the RCMP in school officer with a Peace Officer. School officials say they’re happy as long as law enforcement continues to have a presence in their halls.

Lac La Biche County Council has voted to replace the RCMP in-school officer by hiring a new Peace Officer.

Since October 2009, RCMP Const. Megan Purton has worked in four area schools as a Community Liaison Officer. The position meant a consistent police presence in classrooms, as well as interactive programming for students like D.A.R.E., bike safety, and safe Internet use. Purton is also active on the Lac La Biche & Area Drug Coalition. However, early into her contract term Purton was placed on medical transfer then went on maternity leave, which left the position vacant between December 2009 and April 2011. The municipality was charged $106,767.50 for the period she was gone – but the RCMP have since reimbursed the county.

Purton’s contract was up for renewal on March 31, and council members said they were hesitant to sign another contract – which costs $125,000 a year – because they were concerned they could once again be left without an officer to fill the role.

“Maybe we don’t need an RCMP officer – maybe we could get more bang for the buck with a Peace Officer,” said councillor Gail Broadbent at a meeting March 15. “You could hire two Peace Officers for the cost of one RCMP officer.”

Broadbent added that hiring a Peace Officer dedicated to spending time in area schools could have the dual benefit of improving the image of the county-hired bylaw officers. A current county Peace Officer already spends time in local schools, helping the RCMP liaison or leading presentations.

But Mayor Peter Kirylchuk – the only member of council who voted against dropping the RCMP contract – said residents he’s talked to have expressed their preference of an RCMP officer in the schools.

“It’s because of the image they’ve earned over time,” Kirylchuk said. “Because of that, people would prefer to see RCMP in the classroom.”

But J. A. Williams High School principal Terry Moghrabi said he’d be happy as long as there continues to be a consistent presence in his school’s halls and classrooms.

“I’m in support of the position if it means there’s going to be a physical body in the school,” Moghrabi said. “Whether it’s a Peace Officer or RCMP, we want someone there spending time with our students.”

Councillor Guy Piquette said he would like to see Lac La Biche County Council sit down with the Northern Lights School Division Board to discuss what the schools need regarding law enforcement in classrooms.

Const. Purton’s contract expires March 31, and there’s no word on if a Peace Officer would be hired as a replacement before the end of the school year.

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