The RM of Rockwood aims to boost public safety and support local enforcement efforts through its new community safety officer program.
Manitoba Justice’s Safety Officer Program launched in 2017 to provide municipalities with the option to provide resources to address less serious criminal issues. Safety officers collaborate with local police to provide support so they can focus on more serious criminal matters.
“Through the employment of community safety officers, the safety officer program delivers low-risk community safety services and an increased uniformed presence. Its intention is to address community safety concerns and support local police agencies,” explained Teresa Taplin, manager of protective services for the RM of Rockwood.
“The program forms part of a continuum of policing that adds a flexible, layered approach to enforcement. Given that some situations do not require police officers, layered policing engages individuals with diverse levels of training and authority, allowing law enforcement to focus their expertise on more complex policing and investigations.”
The community safety officer can enforce some provincial statutes and attend some designated Criminal Code of Canada offences in order to receive and evaluate information, while also liaising with local police when needed.
“Through the peace officer appointment, safety officers are granted the authority to enforce applicable acts and regulations,” Taplin said.
“The RM of Rockwood community safety officer will be working closely with the local RCMP detachment as well as constantly monitored by the RM of Rockwood designated staff. Overall, the program supports a community-driven approach to improving community well-being.”
In July, Justin Sowa took the oath to become a community safety officer, also known as a peace officer, after completing the provincial safety officer program at the University of Manitoba. He also received conventional, multi-mode and laser/lidar training through the RCMP. Sowa met all the peace officer requirements set out by Manitoba Justice’s Safety Officer Program. Rockwood’s new safety officer position became official in August after two years of working towards its implementation.
Sowa describes his role with the municipality as a hybrid position between a community safety officer and a bylaw enforcement officer since he will be tasked with both functions.
“Our department will be doing work under the Highway Traffic Act such as speeding or cell phone use, but we will also be doing bylaw enforcement such as nuisance, noise, trucks and unsightly properties,” he said.
“I have been the bylaw enforcement officer in this area for approximately 18 years and received training from Northwest Law Enforcement Academy for that position. In the past, I have held a peace officer status for the Province of Manitoba for animal protection. I will continue to do yearly training to further enhance my education in both fields.”
The new position was created in response to Rockwood residents’ safety concerns, Sowa added. These concerns included everything from speeding to property owners pushing snow into road allowances and causing dangerous road conditions.
“The council and administration for the RM of Rockwood created this program to make the RM of Rockwood a safer place,” he said.
“I do believe this program will make the communities of the RM of Rockwood safer, whether it’s speed enforcement out on the highways or our school zones in the town sites and even added safety enforcement on our ATV and snowmobile trails. Simply put, there will be more boots on the ground.”
In addition to acknowledging the RM’s focus on safety, Sowa also expressed gratitude to the RCMP for their assistance in launching the initiative.
“The RCMP have been a huge help in starting this program and also supporting us out in the field,” he said.
“Although we are different entities, we share many of the same goals and will continue to support each other as we have in the past.”
At the same time, Stonewall RCMP Staff Sgt. Jason Vrooman acknowledged that community safety officers are beneficial to the RCMP.
“They’re in a position to take care of the things that we might not always have time to do like highway traffic enforcement for school zones in communities that are having problems,” he said.
“We look at it as a benefit to the area, in my opinion. I think it’s something other municipalities should consider. It can help to relieve some pressure so we can focus on more priorities. This is a great thing. It’s a good community program and we’re on board with it.”
To contact the community safety officer for a non-emergency matter, you can use the online service tracker on the RM of Rockwood’s website (www.rockwood.ca) or call the municipal office at 204-467-2272 Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For emergencies, call 911.
