President's Message
The Alberta Federation of Police Associations looks forward to a continual working relationship with Premier Stelmach's Government and the law enforcement leadership of Solicitor General Fred Lindsay, who on the 26th March, 2008Êprovided reassurance that the Provincial Government has promised 42.5 million dollars for an additional 100 police officers for the province.
We have many challenges ahead of us, the biggest is unity. I believe that police officers in Alberta should speak with one strong clear voice and that this voice should be under the banner of the Alberta Federation of Police Officers.
With the 2007 election of a new President and Board of Directors in Calgary we feel that it may well be a prudent time to enter into negotiations to have this organization return to the Alberta Federation of Police Officers in the not too near future. Too long has this association stood on the sidelines while members of our Federation took a leading role in negotiations and discussions with the Provincial Government on policing matters.
The Federation should also examine the inclusion of other peace officer organizations in Alberta like the Sheriffs and Municipal Transit and By Law officers. Current legislation does not allow this but we will, during the summer examine other jurisdictions like British Columbia to understand what we have to do.
Another challenge is concerning the Special Forces Pension Plan pre-1992 unfunded liability, as well as the current cost of living clause that has not kept up with the strong Alberta economy.ÊWe feel positive that Police Officers should be treated in the same forthright manner as that was afforded the Teachers in their negotiations for the same benefits with the Province and look forward to negotiations with them in this regard.
The Federation has provided leadership in the extensiveÊround table discussions with the Province on both retention and recruiting, as well as made it's position on Disciplinary and other matters on behalf of it's members, we continue to be advocates for a one tier policing model which provides the service that the paying public deserve.
I would like to wish all of our members and their families a happy and healthy safe summer, Hopefully you and your families will be able to tour around our great Province with it's myriad of places to visit and I look forward to this year and it's many challenges.
President
Bob WALSH
President,
Alberta Federation of Police Associations
