Police open to a task force to curb gun violence in Calgary

Calgary police said at a police commission meeting on Tuesday that they're open to form a public safety task force if it helps address the problem of rising violence in the city.

According to a Notice of Motion, a public safety task force would report back to council with its best advice and recommendations relating to gangs and gun violence.

City council invited the police commission and the chief of police to meet next week — behind close doors — before council debates a motion whether to form a public safety task force to tackle increasing violence.

The idea emerged in response to a series of drug related violent crimes involving guns, as well as growing concerns about community safety.

Bonita Croft, the commission chair, hopes city council includes them on any decision they make moving forward.

"What we have talked about is what the issue is that this task force is meant to address and the extent to which it goes beyond policing," she said.

Croft said if the motion proceeds she wants to know what it might look like and how it can be coordinated and aligned with the commission.

"I'm open-minded about what the task force is going to be and what it is meant to address," she said. "The commission is always happy to engage with Calgarians to hear what Calgarians are concerned about and what the priorities are and we will be happy to hear the information we get back if a task force is struck," she said.

Acting Deputy Police Chief Paul Cook updated the commission on what members are doing in terms of prevention, suppression, enforcement and community activities to tackle the increasing level of violence. 

He said he thinks a public task force may help.

"Any conversation to try to look toward improvement or identifying gaps or identifying leading practice to me is just being a modern service," he said. 

The commission and service will meet with the council on Feb.3.