The Board of Police Commissioners (BOPC) has developed its first ever governance policy that it believes will give clearer direction to members about their roles and responsibilities while enhancing accountability.
The board had conducted its regular functions in agreement with principles outlined in provincial legislation and regulatory requirements, but the new policy articulates and formalizes those processes more completely, a board report explained.
Some of those legislative and regulatory components include The Police Act, 1990, the Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the Police Commissioner’s Handbook, and the Local Government Election Act.
Some sections of the new policy include the board’s mandate, how meetings should function, an annual board self-assessment, an annual performance appraisal of the chief and a code of conduct.
“It’s good practice for any board to have a governance policy that gives direction to the members. Even embedded in the governance policy is … a reminder that every year we (must) do a board self-evaluation and appraisal of the chief’s performance,” said board chairwoman Mary Lee Booth.
The board has been performing many of these actions already, but having those activities written down “gives a different dimension” since it holds members more accountable, which is a good practice to have, she continued.
Booth commended Police Chief Rick Bourassa for putting together the document, saying he conducted the research and used the Saskatoon Police Service’s policy as a template. She appreciated that the document spelled out how operational meetings should happen.
“It was a long time coming to get this governance policy … ,” she added.
Commissioner Doug Blanc agreed that the new governance policy cleared up any remaining confusion about the board’s roles and activities since it provided clear direction to them. He also thought the board should look at the policy as a living document and review it yearly.
“But this is a perfect document to start with and I’m very pleased with it,” he added.
The next Board of Police Commissioners meeting is Thursday, June 8, at 7 p.m. in the Moose Jaw Public Library’s south meeting room. The public is welcome to attend.
