The Taber Police Services’ regional community standards unit (CRU) has expanded to the Village of Barnwell.
The unit was formed in 2022 and the minister of public safety and emergency services approved its expansion earlier this year, after Barnwell looked to become a part of it.
According to a joint news release from the Taber, Barnwell, Taber police and the Municipal District of Taber, the partnership will complement existing services offered by RCMP. The CSU will enforce village bylaws and provincial legislation, with a focus on proactive patrols.
“The Village of Barnwell has been operating with minimal bylaw enforcement for the last two years and has been working towards this partnership with the Town of Taber and the Taber Police Service to increase the efficacy of our bylaws and add another level of policing within our community,” says Barnwell Mayor Missy Foster. “We appreciate the RCMP and their efforts in our jurisdiction and look forward to any collaborative efforts between the RCMP and the Taber Police Service for additional enforcement.”
The CRU began patrols in the community on Aug. 15.
“The Taber Police Service has been serving the MD of Taber for the past year with our Regional Community Standards Unit. We have worked closely with municipal administrations and the RCMP to provide these enhanced law enforcement services and we could not be more proud of our efforts,” says Graham Abela, Taber Police Service chief. “This cost effective and professional service delivery model enhances public safety and community wellness and provides the RCMP with valuable time to focus on more serious criminal matters. We are proud to be the first police service in Alberta to deploy this innovative model and look forward to working with both municipalities in the years to come.”