The community policing unit will have a presence in the downtown among other areas (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Public Safety

New police unit set to hit the streets

Aug 22, 2019 | 2:55 PM

The Prince Albert Police Service will launch a new unit next month.

The Community Policing Unit will be made up of two police officers, who according to Sgt. Travis Willie will have some specific goals to work toward.

“It’s all about being proactive, engaging with the public, being a familiar face with the public, building relationships with the community, with businesses owners and working with everyone,” he said.

The two officers assigned to the unit are Const. Derek Simonson and Const. Ron Meyers. Both officers are from the city and according to Willie they are both community minded and have strong problem-solving skills.

Their duties, which are set to get underway in the middle of September, will see the two officers patrol a wide range of areas including the downtown, Cornerstone Shopping District, South Hill Mall and the Rotary Trail. Willie said the two officers will be on their beat on a regular basis.

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“This is going to be year-round and even on those cold days they are going to be expected to be on foot and have that visible presence,” he said.

Willie said he believes the community will be happy to see the officers out on foot doing their work and will be supportive of the effort. He added the downtown is changing with the coming of the University of Saskatchewan campus and the new police building set to open. The two officers will be working out of the sub station on 10^th Street E. downtown, where officers will be coming and going from during all hours.

“It’s an exciting time for this unit to be starting and it’s kind of an exciting time for the police service with this new building on the horizon,” he said.

The announcement of the new community policing unit comes on the heels of police announcing the creation of a special task force, which will focus on combating property crime in the city.

—With files from Glenn Hicks

The community policing unit will be operating out the police services new building downtown (Glenn Hicks/paNOW Staff)

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn