Peace officer transitioning to new role

By Rob Vogt, Local Press Writer
There will be a change in bylaw enforcement with the Town of Claresholm.
Jason Hemmaway, the town’s community peace officer is transitioning from that role into one that will be work in three areas – disaster management, safety, and the water treatment plant.
The change started last August when the provincial government’s solicitor general changed the peace officer program due to the outcome of a fatality inquiry that looked into the death of a peace officer in the Municipal District of Foothills.
Out of that came the need to standardize training for peace officers because, at the time, some municipalities trained peace officers to a certain standard while others did not.
“I agree with it 100 per cent,” Hemmaway said.
One of the components of the training is the PEAR test, which involves running, jumping and other physical aspects in a set amount of time.
Due to a workplace injury, Hemmaway walks with an artificial leg and cannot run.
Seeing as he looks at safety first, if he could not run after an assailant or a stray dog, he wasn’t able to fulfill that part of the job.
So, he had a heart-to-heart talk about his future, and there were new opportunities to work with the town.
He emphasized he was not fired or that provincial changes forced him out.
“Logically, am I the person for the job?” he asked.
“Safety has always been paramount here,” he later added.
At the same time, a position was opening up at the water treatment plant, as the solution they had been working on did not work out.
The provincial government was also making changes to the disaster management program.
A committee is now required, solid plans must be put in place, and linked with other municipalities.
That means 25 per cent of Hemmaway’s time will be spent making the town compliant with all the disaster management requirements by the year 2020. That means everyone must receive training in disaster management.
Hemmaway noted there are several levels from the RCMP to the fire department and more.
He also oversaw the safety program when he worked at the UFA, so he is quite experienced in that area and will be the coordinating the town’s safety program.
Meanwhile, a new candidate is completing his training as a community peace officer.
He will be trained in traffic enforcement as well as be compliant with provincial requirements. That means the town will no longer have to contract out its traffic enforcement as it currently does.
So Hemmaway is looking forward to his new, three-pronged role with disaster management, safety, and water treatment.
“The change is amazing,” he said. “I think it’s good.
“I’m super excited. I’m glad it’s worked out the way it has.”