Olds council approved the local policing priorities for 2026-2027 during this week’s meeting.
Staff Sergeant Jamie Day from the Olds RCMP was on hand for the discussion with council about the priorities which include community engagement.
Mayor Dan Daley feels it is a proactive step for the RCMP to move forward making sure they are visible, plus that people learn they can approach and trust the RCMP with issues they might be coming up against in their life. Mayor Daley says “he (Jamie Day) also mentioned about bringing on a bicycle patrol for the downtown areas in the busy hours of the day and so forth. Those are all great steps to ensure that, you know, our citizens see the RCMP, that they are approachable and it is just a proactive step as far as keeping out community safe.”
In addition to strengthening community engagement, the other Olds RCMP priorities for the next year include reducing crime, supporting mental health, and improving traffic safety. When it comes to mental health, he says “that is becoming more and more significant in our community as far as people needing assistance when it comes to a crisis situation. So I was really glad to hear that the officers have the basic training when it comes to mental health, but there is a group of people that they can call on to actually help them and help our citizens deal with these crises and to come out on the better side on the other end.”
