Back to SearchPrince Albert City Council has approved shifting the primary responsibility of the Bylaw Enforcement Unit back to the City of Prince Albert. The change will transfer the reporting structure from the Police Service to the Department of Planning and Development Services under the City’s operations at City Hall.
Before 2006, management of the Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Unit was under the City of Prince Albert. This transition moves the unit back under the umbrella of the City. While under the Police Service, it evolved to an eight person unit with a Manager, and seven special constables, five of which were recently trained as Community Safety Officers. Over time, the responsibilities of the unit began to shift more to policing and less to bylaw enforcement. Most recently, the Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Unit operated as a five-person unit including a manager following restructuring of animal control under the control of the SPCA and the transfer of one position to a court liaison officer.
“Bylaw Enforcement served us well under the Police Service for many years,” said Mayor Greg Dionne. “A reorganization at this stage gives us the opportunity to have a bigger role in the priorities of the unit. As a City, we know more about the bylaw infractions that concern residents the most. We create the bylaws and should have a more direct role in their enforcement.”
Once approved, the Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Unit will be managed by the City of Prince Albert Director of Planning and Development Services, Craig Guidinger and will include a number of Bylaw Enforcement Officers who will work with members of City Administration on housing and property issues, business license concerns, nuisance abatement issues, boarded up homes, unkempt yards, illegal dumping, etc.
Two Community Safety Officers will be retained by the police service to continue to provide support for members on patrol. These CSO’s will assist in responding to complaints including minor motor vehicle accidents, mischief, shoplifting and theft.
“This transition will allow for increased support for members on patrol with Community Safety Officers responding to assist in calls for service, and that will help ensure patrol officers are available to continue addressing emergency calls for service in an efficient and timely manner,” said Prince Albert Police Chief Jon Bergen.
At this time, residents should continue to report bylaw issues through the non-emergency line at (306) 953-4222 or through the City’s Bylaw Enforcement Report a Concern form online.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Mayor Greg Dionne
(306) 953-4300
Craig Guidinger
Director, Planning and Development Services
(306) 953-4370
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