EDMONTON – An expanded role for Alberta sheriffs in policing the province must come with increased pay and improved working conditions, says the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE).
“Sheriffs already do important work keeping Albertans safe, going above and beyond every day,” says Bobby-Joe Borodey, vice-president of AUPE.
“It is good to see that Bill 49 recognizes the skills that they bring to the table, but increasing the scope of their work must come with appropriate improvements to pay and benefits,” she says.
“Clearly, the government is planning to take over much of the work currently done by the RCMP. If it wants this new police force to succeed, the first step must be to create the conditions that will allow it to recruit and retain officers.”
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis has said that the RCMP is having trouble recruiting to fill vacant positions.
“The Alberta government won’t do any better if it insists on not paying sheriffs and new hires adequately for the scope of work they do. Their tasks require more training and the work exposes officers to more dangers,” says Borodey.
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AUPE VP Bobby-Joe Borodey is available for interviews.
For information, please contact Terry Inigo-Jones, Communications Officer, at 780-863-7850 or t.inigo-jones@aupe.org.
