Mayor Judy Dahl hopes to convince Solicitor General and Public Security Minister Jonathan Denis to move the sheriffs unit back to Olds.
"When the provincial government first introduced the sheriffs and they did the pilot study, Olds was one of the pilot study's municipalities,î said Dahl.
"The sheriffs were actually housed in the Olds RCMP detachment. After the first year of the pilot study, they moved out to Innisfail.î
Last December, when Dahl heard that there were talks of moving the unit from Innisfail to Red Deer, she thought it was an opportunity to contact Denis.
"We let them know that we are right now digging a hole for a new fire department, our tri-services building right next door to the RCMP, which will be ready in September 2012,î she said.
"We invited them back to Olds.î
Dahl got a letter from Denis on Jan. 13, saying he was open to the idea and that he wanted to schedule a meeting between Dahl and the management of RCMP/Sheriff Integrated Traffic Services.
"As a mayor, knowing how paper sits on desks because everybody is so busy, I am overwhelmed with the response from the provincial government on the letter. It was quick,î said Dahl.
"The response was very promising, transparent, and leaves an open door.î
Moreover, Dahl has the support of the Olds RCMP detachment and the Olds and District Community Policing Advisory Committee in her mission to get the sheriffs back to Olds.
"We were quite excited to have the sheriffs in the community,î she said.
"Not a lot of citizens were, but it certainly did help in the sustainable safety concept that we have, as well as the provincial government.î
While the Innisfail Alberta Sheriffs unit moved to Red Deer last week, Dahl believes that nothing is set in stone.
"It is always good for the provincial government to understand that there are alternatives,î she said.
