Starland County has a new Community Peace Officer in the area. Brenda Gallagher, hithero a Bylaw Enforcement Officer for the county, as of April 25 is the county’s only Peace Officer.
“It’s essential a County have this level of policing appointment, because of the legislation Brenda is now allowed to enforce is representative of those issues that arise in rural municipalities,” said Starland CAO Ross Rawlusyk.
Before becoming a Peace Officer, Gallagher had been working with Starland as a Bylaw Enforcement Officer since 2008 and was a contractor in 2007. In 2009, she began training to be a Peace Officer.
One being asked what inspired her, Gallagher replied, “the love of the job, the people, and the community,” said Gallagher. “It was something that I wanted to do, but thought I was limited, because of my age. Not at all.”
Now that she is a Peace Officer, Gallagher can enforce a broader range of legislation.
“It ties in with what our county has identified it needs going forward,” said Rawlusyk. “It gives her a greater ability to support the RCMP in traffic issues.”
After doing several courses and training Stony Plain Gallagher took the Oath of Office at the Starland Council meeting on April 25.
“Brenda has done an excellent job for the County in a Bylaw Enforcement capacity,” said Rawlusyk. “While she can continue to enforce municipal bylaw, she can now assist with many other complaints and issues.
