Pubdate: Wed, 23 Oct 2002 Source: Okotoks Western Wheel (CN AB) Copyright: 2002, Okotoks Western Wheel Contact: http://www.westernwheel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1638 Author: Darlene Casten 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth