Approximately 180 delegates from Citizens on Patrol organizations from across Alberta will converge on Airdrie Sept. 17 and 18, according to Airdrie Citizens on Patrol (COP) President Ennio Ricci.
“We do this on an annual basis, Alberta-wide,” he said. “The reason we get together is to see what we are missing in other groups. Not any group does everything the same as other groups so we share the ideas and we try to improve our service. That’s the main goal.
“It’s a very valuable conference. We learn a lot because we share ideas and we implement them.”
Attendees will review the bylaws and terms of reference to “improve our service to the community,” according to Ricci.
Ricci said the conference includes guest speakers from other groups, including the RCMP.
“We get the RCMP involved with us in order to (provide) better service. This year we’re expecting the (COP) Canada board member to come over to our AGM,” he said.
Topics to be covered at the conference include crime and social media, operation centre control, emergency response teams, aboriginal youth and gangs and special tactics and operation.
The event is being held at the Airdrie Town and Country Centre. The last time the event was hosted in Airdrie was in 2010.
“The only thing I’m a little disappointed about is we sent out 120 requests for donations and we only got four responses,” Ricci said. “Maybe it’s the economy.”
Those wishing to donate to help COP with the cost of hosting the conference or wishing to donate a door prize can call the organization at the Airdrie RCMP detachment or drop it off at the detachment.
The COP currently has 28 active members and Ricci said the group is always recruiting.
“Our request (of members) is four hours a month, which isn’t much,” he said. “(People wishing to join) can go to the detachment, leave their name and phone number and we’ll get back to them.”
To be a member, you must have a valid driver’s license, no criminal record and be over 18 years of age.
For more information about the COP, call the Airdrie RCMP complaint line at 403-945-7267
