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Chief McFee discusses new role in government

May 26, 2012 | 3:07 PM

Prince Albert's law enforcement leader says he's looking forward to bettering policing in Saskatchewan in his new role in government.

McFee will give up his title as chief in September to further his career in law enforcement as deputy minister of Corrections and Policing.

“I think this a great opportunity to evolve a vision and … I very much look forward to the opportunity,” McFee said.

He was contacted by the Premier’s office a few weeks ago about the position, but admits up until then, it wasn’t something he had seriously considered.

“It’s one of those things where when it came around after some serious consideration … it was something that I felt I had to take a shot at.”

McFee, who has been a part of the Prince Albert Police Service for almost 26 years, the past nine as chief, said accepting the job had a lot to do with the current government and a shared vision for policing in the province.

“I very much think our province is one of the leaders in relation to the policing aspect and where we need to go,” he said.

“Some of the changes that are coming, such things as economics in policing and a better service delivery model and I think that’s something that attracted me to actually taking the position.”

McFee said the corrections and policing portfolio merged with justice, offers a chance to address some of the unique crime issues facing Saskatchewan such as the high youth population.

“I think there is some real good opportunities if we can collectively put our minds together, that are going to benefit the province of Saskatchewan in a big way.”

McFee has been widely recognized for establishing the community mobilization movement in Prince Albert. The Hub and COR, which brings together different agencies to tackle the root causes of crime, are considered partially responsible for the city’s falling crime rate.

The program’s success in Prince Albert has drawn interest from other communities who are now beginning to adopt the model.

McFee, who concedes it was Brad Wall that championed the concept, looks forward to applying his knowledge at the provincial level.

“That’s the exciting part,” he said. “We have a Premier and a government that want to make things better for the citizens of our province and that’s where I think I can probably help.”

While he’s eager to begin his new role, McFee said he’s torn for having to leave behind the community he’s called home since moving here in the 80s to play junior hockey for the Prince Albert Raiders.

“It’s mixed emotion. PA is a big part of who I am.”

“I’m real grateful to the city of PA and I’m certainly very appreciative to my police team and the police board … and that’s tough to leave.”

McFee said he will commute to Regina for the first year allowing him to serve out his final year as president of the Prince Albert Raiders’ board of directors.

McFee, will however, be stepping down from his position as president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.

In terms of his successor as chief in Prince Albert, that decision will be made over the coming months by the board of police commissioners.

bbosker@panow.com

@brentbosker