By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

Police Chief Rob Davis thrilled by service performance in 2016

Dec 28, 2016 | 9:10 AM

LETHBRIDGE – It’s been a busy year for Lethbridge Police Chief, Rob Davis, to say the very least!
 
Davis discussed his highlights from 2016 with Lethbridge News Now, saying the introduction of repurposed shot guns that fire bean bag rounds, adding three experienced recruits and watching the police headquarters renovations come together were at the top of his list.
 
He felt particularly supported by the community this year as the Lethbridge Police Service continued to focus on de-escalation. Davis came to the LPS in 2015 from southern Ontario, where he explained that police tactics can be more harsh and distrust between the police and public is prevalent.
 
“Coming here, it’s just different. I think a lot of it is just that de-militarization,” he continued. “It’s embedded throughout training, from the day you’re a recruit through to the day you retire. Time is our friend, space is our friend.”
 
Davis admitted that it was a tough year with a number of vacant positions and having to deal with limited resources while tackling the Alberta fentanyl crisis, but he couldn’t express enough gratitude to his dedicated team of officers.
 
“It’s those times of crisis when a team will really pull together. That’s when you see what the team’s really made of. This year showed this team has the ability to pull together and get the job done.”
 
The LPS had also been working on its relationship with Blood Tribe Police throughout 2016. Davis says he’s in constant contact with Acting Police Chief Kyle Melting Tallow, even discussing opportunities for the two services to train together.
 
Heading into the new year, Davis wanted to make sure Lethbridge residents know that the LPS is here to help, noting that citizens are  also the “nearly 100,000 eyes and ears” that help them out every day. He stressed that nobody should ever hesitate to call them or Crime Stoppers, and hopes residents will consider getting involved with a neighbourhood watch.
 
While it’s still too early to say what’s on the horizons for 2017, Davis says he’s excited and that recommendations from academic Peter Bellmio on how to deploy resources more efficiently are in the works.