New Standing Committee on Police Priorities and Initiatives

To streamline and enhance communication, engagement, and collaboration between the Township of Langley and the RCMP, a standing committee is being established.

The Township of Langley’s new Standing Committee on Police Priorities and Initiatives will follow similar approaches used by other growing municipalities, and is important and timely as the Township works to meet the complex and evolving needs of the fast growing region, and moves forward in having its own dedicated RCMP detachment. 

“Additional communication and collaboration between Council, our senior management and the Langley RCMP detachment will help us make progress on key Township of Langley initiatives, along with ensuring that our residents, businesses and taxpayers are getting the service they deserve, and are paying for,” said Mayor Eric Woodward. “There are a lot of important issues to work on, together,” he added.

Recommended by Township Councillor Barb Martens, a former police officer, and supported by Township Mayor Eric Woodward, the committee’s mandate includes providing advice and recommendations on police matters to Council and the Langley RCMP Officer in Charge. Other tasks include policy development and supporting effective liaising and engagement between the RCMP detachment and Council, municipal staff, community stakeholders, First Nations, and other agencies.

“From my experience in policing, it is very important for the safety of the community, especially in a growing community like the Township of Langley, that the municipality and the local detachment have exceptional communication channels to work together to meet the needs of the community. I am excited that this committee is a step in that direction,” said Councilor Barb Martens.

The composition of the committee includes: Township Mayor Eric Woodward; Township Councillor Barb Martens; Township Councillor Tim Baillie; Township CAO Mark Bakken; RCMP Superintendent Adrian Marsden, Officer in Charge, Langley Detachment; and RCMP Inspector Steve Wade, Operations Officer, Langley Detachment.

The committee will meet at least four times per year, with appointments made annually by the Mayor for a one-year term, commencing January 1st of each year. A Chairperson will be selected annually for a one-year term by the committee from Council members serving on it. For this first term Mayor Woodward is recommending Councillor Barb Martens serve as Chairperson.