The Town of Olds is currently reviewing applications for a new Level 1 community peace officer.A community peace officer Level 1 enforces bylaws and under provincial legislation, has the authority to make traffic stops for speeding, disobeying stop signs and other moving violations. The topic of the town's search for an officer came up at an Olds and District Community Policing Advisory Society meeting on March 25.“We want to supplement the RCMP, complement the work they do by having the ability to pull people over for speeding,” said Lorne Thompson, chief of the Olds Fire Department. “We have some trouble areas, put them in that area, things like that.”The lower-ranking peace officer currently in place, Karen Zaretski, is a Level 2. They have the same responsibilities but cannot pull people over, Thompson said.Thompson said it has been five years since the town has had a Level 1 officer. However, he said the vacancy has not had an impact on bylaw enforcement.“We had CP Level 2s, which has allowed us to do our local stuff, like snow removal, dogs, traffic tickets, parking, things like that. We've been able to do that last five years,” Thompson said.In 2013, the community peace officer generated 72 per cent of 1,718 Olds municipal enforcement files.Sixty-nine per cent of the 1,718 files required action, in the form of either ticketing or a notice being left. Voluntary compliance was obtained in the other 31 per cent of the files.“Things are going along pretty good. We have a real policy on open communication with the public. If they call down for some information or a complaint, we really like to talk to them and a lot of times resolve a lot just that way,” Thompson [email protected]
