SPN: Sharkawi suggests town's peace officers carry side arms
Mac Olsen
for South Peace News
The peace officers for the Town of High Prairie should be permitted to have side arms, or handguns, for their protection.
Barry Sharkawi, the chairperson of the protective services committee, made the suggestion during their meeting Jan. 20.
Sharkawi is concerned they could face dangerous situations, just like police officers, and they wouldn’t be able to protect themselves without side arms.
“I have seen the peace officers when they’re pulling over vehicles for traffic violations or other reasons,” says Sharkawi. “But what if the people they’re dealing with threaten their lives?”
Sharkawi asked peace officer Alan Bloom what equipment they have to protect themselves. Bloom replied they have a radio, pepper spray and a baton. They are also trained in takedowns and have a shotgun to deal with dangerous animals.
Rick Dumont, another committee member, shares Sharkawi’s concern.
“We’re concerned about the safety of our peace officers,” says Dumont. “It’s all about the safety of the peace officers. It’s not about a show of force.”
S/Sgt. Myron Friesen of the High Prairie RCMP Detachment says Solicitor General and Public Security Minister Jonathan Denis must approve peace officers having side arms.
“It’s their call,” says Friesen.
Peace officers would be required to have the same firearms training as all police officers, he adds.
Dumont suggests finding out which municipalities in Alberta want to have their peace officers equipped with side arms. They and High Prairie could submit a joint resolution at the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association’s convention next fall, to lobby the solicitor general.
As well as bylaw enforcement, the town’s peace officers assist the RCMP with arrests and serve warrants. Besides the RCMP, the Alberta Sheriffs and Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers are authorized to carry side arms as part of their jobs.
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