The provincial government has announced the creation of a Policing Transformation Working Group.

Justice Minister John Hogan announced the creation of the group at The Rooms earlier today.

Their mandate is to evaluate the current policing model, conduct public engagement, and provide ongoing advice.

Government says providing policing services that maintain public safety and meet societal expectations is becoming “increasingly complex.”

They say topics such as the evolving profile of crime, oversight and accountability, technological advancements, service delivery in rural and remote areas, training, and recruitment/retention have formed the scope and timing on the initiative.

The four-person group will work with the current policing and crime prevention team within government, and will recommend short and long-term steps to transition the current model to any proposed alternatives.

Hogan says there are no timelines for the work to be completed, but does say the working group will be dynamic – with some short term recommendations being implemented while the work is ongoing, and medium and longer term ones being looked at when the time comes.