Alberta government working to modernize police act
Posted Jun 8, 2020 6:51 pm.
Last Updated Jun 8, 2020 6:52 pm.
EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – Following concerns about the law regarding police enforcement in the province, the Alberta government is planning to speed up work currently being done on the police act.
Over the past two weeks, Albertans have stood in solidarity alongside the United States to protest police brutality following the death of George Floyd.
Floyd was killed on May 25 in Minneapolis when former police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck and held it there for several minutes ultimately leading to asphyxiation.
“Over the last week, we have seen Albertans rightfully outraged over an appalling act of police brutality in the United States. Many Albertans have also raised sincere concerns about policing here at home,” Minister of Justice, Doug Schweitzer, said in a statement.
“Any allegation of excessive use of force by law enforcement is serious and must be treated as such. That is why we will expedite the government’s current work to modernize the Police Act. This will ensure we have the governance framework and policies in place so Albertans are confident that our police are accountable to the communities they protect.”
“Policing only works when citizens feel assured that law enforcement is going to treat them reasonably and fairly,” he added.
The minister plans to meet with chiefs of police, first nations, minority community leaders, as well as other stakeholders to get things moving quickly.
