NEW RCMP POSITION BRINGS BACK DARE

One of Hinton's RCMP officers has a new role and she's bringing back
an old program.

Earlier this year, RCMP Const. Deanna Alford took over a new position
within the Hinton detachment -- she is now a community services officer.

"In my mind, the community services officer is a position that allows
for a greater ability to get out there and be face to face with the
public," she said.

The new role is more preventative in nature than the traditional role
of a police officer in the community, which is enforcement.

The new role at the Hinton detachment was established last February.

Staff Sergeant Harold Milroy said that he was asked last year by
Yellowhead county council what the detachment needed.

He told council that the detachment lacked the resources to address
the prevention side of things and suggested that having someone take
on the community services officer position would be beneficial.

With that, the deal was essentially done and the County committed to
funding the position.

"It takes a lot of heat off us," Milroy said of the rest of he
detachment. As well, it allows for more continuity in the community.

"It makes service delivery more seamless," he said.

Alford now makes the bulk of the public appearances on behalf of the
Hinton RCMP.

She also represents the force on a number of different committees,
including the Hinton Drug Action Committee and the Yellowhead
Regional Drug Action Coalition.

The new position also returned a program to Hinton schools.

With the start of the current school year, Alford brought the DARE
(Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program back to town.

The program aims to provide students with facts about tobacco, drugs
and alcohol, as well as a model to help them make the right decision
when faced with negative peer pressure.

Alford said that the program gives students a safe environment in
which to discuss issues and concerns around drugs.

"The real test of DARE is what goes on outside of the classroom," she said.

The program is aimed at Grade 6 students with two more sessions
available for middle and high school students.

Right now, the local focus is on the younger students but Alford said
that she might expand it to Grade 8 students in the new year.