TOWN LOOKING AT NEW WAY OF HIRING DARE WORKS! INSTRUCTOR

The Town of Okotoks is trying a new tactic in their effort to help hire a
DARE Works! instructor.

Rather than seek the Solicitor General's appointment of a special constable
to fill the instructor position the town is looking into the possibility of
hiring a bylaw enforcement officer, which does not require provincial
appointment.

DARE Works! Society executive director Lori Czerwinski is waiting for
approval from the DARE International office in Los Angeles for the hiring
of an additional bylaw enforcement officer as a DARE instructor.

Czerwinski said if DARE International agrees that a bylaw officer would
meet their standards it would be a huge breakthrough for the local
organization and DARE groups across Canada.

'I have had calls from the Crowsnest Pass DARE organization and the
Sherwood Park RCMP office,' Czerwinski said. 'The woman (RCMP member)
wanted me to let her know if we are successful. In a way we are breaking
ground for other programs.'

DARE International requires that the instructors of their curriculum have
at least two years police experience, wear an enforcement uniform and are
sanctioned to carry out law enforcement duties.

Okotoks municipal manager Will Pearce said that a town bylaw officer can
enforce some provincial statutes, such as traffic infringements.

However, Czerwinski is unsure if a bylaw enforcement officer has enough
jurisdiction to satisfy DARE International's requirements.

If DARE International responds that a bylaw enforcement officer does not
meet the criteria laid out for a DARE instructor the town will make a
formal request to receive approval from the Solicitor General's for a
special constable position.

For over six months the town has been petitioning the Solicitor General's
office on behalf of DARE Works! for the appointment of a special constable
who would act primarily as an instructor of the DARE curriculum in local
schools.

Two letters have been sent to the Solicitor General's office asking if such
an appointment would be considered.

Both times the response from the Solicitor General's office indicated that
the appointment of a special constable is contingent on a proven
enforcement need within the town.

Rather than continue wrangling with the Solicitor General's office the town
decided to proceed with the conditional hiring of a qualified applicant
that meets DARE's requirements and the requirements set out for a special
constable.

Garnet Lewis, spokesman for the Solicitor General's office, said the
province hasn't closed the door on the town's proposal yet.

'We have made our position very clear,' Lewis said 'We would consider such
an application by looking at the context of the kind of enforcement
functions the special constable would carry out.'

Lewis recommended that the town outline the enforcement duties the special
constable would carry out for the town as well as the individual's duties
as a DARE instructor.