A number of items were considered at the Town of Cochrane’s Committee-of-the-Whole meeting Jan. 20, as follows:
Cochrane Municipal Policing Committee Bylaw
The Police Amendment Act will take effect on March 1, 2025, bringing transformative changes to policing in Alberta. Municipalities with populations over 15,000, including Cochrane, will be required to establish local governance bodies in the form of a Municipal Policing Committee, to enhance transparency, accountability, and community engagement in policing services. This legislation is intended to enhance transparency, accountability and civilian involvement.
Key reforms will establish an independent and more straightforward process for complaints against the police, promote more diversity in policing and encourage greater collaboration between police and civilian partners to improve public safety. Administration will bring forward a draft bylaw for Council’s consideration.
Once the bylaw is enacted through Third Reading, the Municipal Policing Committee (MPC) will begin its formation.
First, a public announcement will be made through various media channels, including social media, newspapers, radio, the Cochrane App, and www.cochrane.ca. This announcement will provide details about the committee and invite citizens to apply for membership.
Next, a recruitment and selection process, consistent with other municipal committees, will follow. This includes an enhanced RCMP background check.
Finally, selected members will participate in mandatory training before assuming their roles.
For more details visit the Alberta Association of Police Governance (AAPG) website at https://aapg.ca/.
Building safer communities grant update
In spring 2024, Cochrane was awarded $406,000 through the Federal Government’s Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF). The fund is intended to help municipalities prevent gun and gang violence by addressing its root causes.
The goal of the Community Wellness plan is to implement and sustain effective programs that address the root causes of crime and gang involvement, as well as the positive impact on the community's safety and well-being. The project will include focus groups with youth and the groups/organizations working directly with youth in Cochrane. More information is available on letstalkcochrane.ca.
Commercial sector compost waste program
Council resolved as follows: That Council direct Administration to evaluate the 2024 compost waste pilot program and return with recommendations for a possible program for consideration by January 31, 2025. Administration presented information and options to Council for consideration of what a commercial sector compost waste program could entail.
