A policing committee is being established in Williams Lake. The move follows recommendations made by the auditor general of local government’s policing audit that was released last month.
The policing committee will consist of Mayor Walt Cobb as chair, one city councillor and alternate appointed by council, one Cariboo Regional District director and alternate from Area D, E or F, one First Nations representative each from the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council and the Carrier Chilcotin Tribal Council, and the leader of a community policing organization in the region as a member at large.
“We think it’s a good idea to have input from surrounding communities,” Cobb said, noting the committee will not involve a “huge public process,” but will be a small and focused working group.
Coun. Scott Nelson said forming the committee is a very important step because a significant amount of crime is committed by high-risk and prolific offenders.
The committee will have a “certain amount of accountability” with its process and will have to develop a structure and a strategic plan, Coun. Laurie Walters said.