The Altona police board is doing a survey to help gauge how the community feels about the local department.
The survey, which is accessible online (altona.ca/m/altona-police-service), is a way for the board to stay current with what the thoughts and priorities are in the community and could be a good starting point for further planning discussions.
“They’re seeking information back from the community in regards to their perception of the police service,” explained Chief Dan Defer. “Depending on some of the answers, it may affect our strategic plan. We have a five-year strategic plan which we work off of … and if something comes up, it might be added to the strategic plan.”
Defer sees it as offering an opportunity to get an “idea of specific priorities or areas they might want to emphasize or target moving forward. It assists the police board in the direction they would like to see the police service moving.”
Altona’s police board has seven members, including a council appointee, a provincial appointee, and five members of the community at large. The purpose of the board is to provide civilian governance respecting the enforcement of the law, maintenance of public peace, and the prevention of crime in Altona and Plum Coulee.
The survey includes questions asking whether residents feel the department is meeting the community’s needs and expectations, whether officers present themselves professionally and perform their duties well, and whether residents support an increase in taxes to increase local policing, to list just a few topics addressed.
Defer said any and all community input is welcome and helpful.
“Any time that you get feedback on your service … it’s good to get positive and negative,” he noted.
“If there’s something that the community is really happy with the way things are progressing, then obviously we continue with that. If there’s something that they would like to see changed or something that could be addressed a little bit differently, then that’s something that we look at and see if those alterations can be made.”
The survey closes Feb. 10.
