Interim chief of P.A. police responds to report and recommendations from province

The interim chief of Prince Albert Police has responded to the results of an independent review and recommendations for the service.

On Tuesday morning, the final report by Rob Knecht into the dealings of the Prince Albert Police was unveiled with 45 recommendations.

Among those recommendations was changing how the force handles risk management, how it communicates with the public, and the roles played by the police commission and the officers’ union.

In a release, Interim Police Chief Patrick Nogier said the service is dedicated to serving and protecting the community and recognizes the importance of improving its practices and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

“We appreciate the efforts put forth by the independent review panel in assessing our organization and providing valuable recommendations to enhance our effectiveness,” he said in the release.

Nogier added top brass are fully aware the recommendations will have a significant impact on operations and financial management, but they are steadfast in their determination to rise to the challenge and implement change effectively and efficiently.

“We will actively engage with stakeholders, including the Prince Albert Police Association, our governance bodies, community organizations, and elected officials, to seek their input and address any concerns they may have regarding the implementation of the recommendations and their implementation.”

On Monday, the Prince Albert Police Association responded to the report, saying that some of the recommendations have already been tackled already by Nogier and others are currently being looked at.

Board of Commissioners Response

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the Prince Albert Board of Police Commissioners said they’ve reaffirmed the commitment to make the changes that need to happen and have already started – and in some cases completed – those steps toward implementing the recommendations.

“The Board remains committed to constructive change in the governance and operations of the Prince Albert Police Service,” said Board Chair Janet Carriere. “We look forward to continuing to work with Minister (Christine) Tell and her senior Ministry officials to reinforce best practices in Prince Albert Police Service operations and its governance model.”