LAC LA BICHE - Questions in recent months about an apparent reduction in Lac La Biche County Community Peace Officers numbers are being addressed by the municipality's acting manager of Protective Services.
When asked if there were less peace officers in the community, John Kokotilo said the current members have been "exceptional" in maintaining service levels.
"We were and are also are still able to maintain “24” hour enforcement (and) public safety patrols within our municipality," he told Lakeland This Week.
In recent weeks, County officials following the results of a staffing and efficiency review cut more than a dozen staff from the municipal payroll, including one who had been a peace officer for several years.
Leading up to the job losses, Kokotilo said his department has been actively looking for more staff.
"We have proceeded with a recruitment drive," he said, adding that a new school resource officer has been hired in recent weeks. That same peace officer has been working as a municipal bylaw enforcement officer until the school year begins.
Peace officer training in Lac La Biche
Since last November, in conjunction with the staffing review, senior municipal officials have implemented a hiring freeze through all County departments. Kokotilo says in the coming weeks he hopes to see more peace officers in the community.
"In the works (we) are hiring additional staff to arrive in the near future," he said crediting the community's unique peace officer training program for increasing the number of eligible candidates.
"We are now moving forward and are excited for the future," he said.
