January 31, 2024, Olds – The Town of Olds is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our community. As part of this commitment, we are exploring the future of policing in our town through public feedback. Starting today, residents of Olds can share their thoughts on community policing by participating in a confidential survey.
The Town has partnered with Western Management Consultants (WMC), funded by a special grant, to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of our current and future policing needs. WMC is collecting data from different groups, businesses, and individuals to provide better insight into any issues and possible solutions. The aim is to gain a clear understanding of the policing services in the community, as well as assess the value of money invested in these services.
After collecting all the necessary information, WMC will present a Community Policing Business Case that will include research, best practices, stakeholder input, and a financial analysis to help make informed future decisions.
Urban municipalities with a population of over 5,000 are obligated to provide policing services, either through the RCMP or a municipal police service. The Town of Olds fulfills this requirement by contributing a portion of funding toward the Olds RCMP services.
"Our goal is to evaluate the Town's spending on community safety, explore ways to maximize its benefits, identify gaps in services and look at how we can make improvements," clarified Justin Andrew, the Director of Protective Services. “We encourage all members of our community to participate in this important survey and help shape the future of policing in Olds.”
The findings of the survey will be used to inform the development of the business case that will be presented to Town Council at a future date.
Survey Details
Access: www.olds.ca/engagement
Survey period: Open until February 12, 2024
Media Contact:
Jillian Toellner
Supervisor – Engagement & Communications
Town of Olds
403-507-4857