(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Union matters

P.A. Police union members vote non-confidence in Chief

Jul 9, 2020 | 5:00 PM

A recent vote held by members of the Prince Albert Police Association (PAPA) suggests discontentment within the police service.

At a meeting held on June 29, a motion was introduced to ask members if they had confidence in Chief Jon Bergen. The voting period wrapped up the following Thursday, and the result was 71 per cent of members indicating they did not have confidence in Chief Bergen. A total of 94 members out of 104 voted.

According to a statement issued to paNOW on Thursday by an executive member of PAPA, there were three separate one-hour meetings held on June 29, and 30 members attended each one. This was done because of COVID-19 rules and regulations. The member who made the motion and the seconder were present for all three meetings for discussion purposes.

“PAPA wants the PA Police Service to be a professional organization that meets the needs of the citizens of Prince Albert and the members of PAPA. PAPA will be meeting with the Chief soon to address ongoing concerns that were brought by members at the meeting. The Executive of PAPA will be deciding on next steps soon,” the statement from the association said.

The statement also indicated President Brian Glynn resigned from his position on Wednesday, July 8 for personal reasons; and that other executive members are away on annual leave.

Final numbers

Local RM results finalized

18h ago

Commitment

Hildebrand commits to Bemidji State in NCAA DI, first NCAA commitment in Raiders history

21h ago

Inflation

Rent inflation to slow in the next few years, Desjardins predicts

22h ago

“When everyone is back we will decide on our next steps,” the PAPA statement said.

The reasons for the non-confidence motion were not discussed in the statement but anonymous sources close to the association have informed paNOW areas of concern include recent changes to bylaw enforcement.

A decision by city council earlier this month, shifted responsibility for Prince Albert’s bylaw enforcement unit back to the City of P.A. after 14 years as part of the Prince Albert Police Service. The change was designed to give the city a bigger role in the unit’s priorities, while saving money on salaries.

At the time Mayor Greg Dionne told council salaries exploded when bylaw officers became part of the police union.

“Other bylaw officers in this province range anywhere from $50,000 to $62,000. Ours are up to $105,000,” he said. “Do they wear gold? Are they twice as better as other bylaw officers? No.”

Speaking on behalf of Chief Jon Bergen and the Board of Police Commissioners, Dionne told paNOW no documentation pertaining to the vote has been received by the board. Dionne promised a formal response once the documentation is received.

A spokesperson for the Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers was also at last week’s meeting, but declined to comment on matters related to a local association.

—

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell