RMWB seeking volunteers for new police oversight committee

FORT MCMURRAY, AB. — The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is looking for volunteers to help guide local policing priorities as part of a new civilian oversight body.

The 11-member Municipal Policing Advisory Committee will work with RCMP leadership to ensure police services align with community needs. Members will oversee the administration of the municipality’s police service agreements, develop community safety plans, and help set annual policing priorities and strategies.

The committee was created in response to changes in Alberta’s Police Governance Regulation, which requires all RCMP-policed communities to establish civilian oversight panels. Council approved the new committee at a meeting earlier this week.

The RMWB is seeking qualified candidates to fill seven voting positions: five ward representatives and two public-at-large members. Representation is needed from communities across the region, including First Nations within the Wood Buffalo and Fort Chipewyan RCMP detachment boundaries.

The municipality is also encouraging applications from underrepresented groups, including Black, Indigenous and persons of colour (BIPOC), immigrants, LGBTQ2S+, persons with disabilities, religious minorities, seniors, women, and youth.

Rural and Indigenous residents are strongly encouraged to apply. Meetings can be attended remotely by video call, and mileage reimbursement is available for those who travel to in-person sessions.

Applications are open until April 21 and can be submitted through the Boards and Committees portal at rmwb.ca/boards.