In Commission: All about the AAPG

By MEDICINE HAT POLICE COMMISSION on March 17, 2023.

Last month we gave a brief description of some of the functions and duties of the Medicine Hat Police Commission. There are many important decisions commissioners must make. Fortunately, they are not alone when it comes to understanding their role and how to execute their responsibilities. The Medicine Hat Police Commission is a member of the Alberta Association of Police Governance.

The AAPG supports excellence in civilian governance and oversight of police services in Alberta. Through the AAPG, members have access to educational opportunities, best practices and forums for liaison with related agencies. The AAPG is well positioned to advocate for effective police governance and oversight that is responsive to our changing environment. In that regard, the AAPG provides input and feedback on potential changes to relevant legislation and policies.

The commission appoints one of its members to sit on the AAPG as our representative. This allows the commission to connect with other police commissions and police committees (the difference between the two is for another article) and share ideas and concerns. The AAPG also makes it easier for provincial representatives and ministers to easily connect with the local bodies.

Recent changes to the provincial legislation that covers policing and police commissions, also known as the Police Act, have generated many questions and discussions on the impact the changes will have on police governance.

The AAPG board will be meeting later this with the Justice Minister to discuss these topics directly. This is an excellent example of the value of the AAPG to not only get the meeting with the minister, but to allow the minister to communicate directly back to the commissions.

The public meeting this month is set for Thursday, March 23 at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers. As always, the public is welcome, and encouraged, to attend. Our meeting schedule will be changing in April to better align with other committees and commissions. Starting April 19, our public meetings will occur on the third Wednesday of the month. We hope to see you then.

In Commission is written by members of the Medicine Hat Police Commission. The MHPC consists of Chairperson Ted Rodych, Vice Chairperson Terry Meidinger, Couns. Shila Sharps and Alison Van Dyke, and members Sarah Scahill, Marco Jansen and Gwendoline Dirk. Questions and comments can be directed to the Chairperson, Ted Rodych, at trodych@mhpc.ca

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