Springfield hires first community safety officer

The Rural Municipality of Springfield has hired its first community safety officer following the closure of its police service last year.

Springfield Mayor Patrick Therrien said the new interim CSO began work on Dec. 21 and will help enforce bylaws, guide traffic at high-risk intersections and assist the RCMP.

“It’ll be exceptionally well utilized by the RM there to addressing safety issues that, frankly, the RCMP just have no time to work on,” he said, adding Springfield has needed a CSO since he began his term as mayor in 2022.

The Carillon previously reported the Springfield Police Service shut down in August 2025 after its two officers quit and joined the RCMP. Prior to the resignations, the previous chief and another constable also left for the federal policing body.

Therrien said the CSO will be repurposing some of the equipment previously used by the police service. One police vehicle got a splash of white paint and new markings, and the officer will wear a uniform and body camera. The former police station will also serve as the CSO’s office space.

Visibility is the most important first step when launching the new program, Therrien said.

“We want them to be in the RM of Springfield and go to every little nook and cranny and make sure people see you,” he said.

The interim officer isn’t working full-time, though Therrien hopes to make it a full-time position.

The CSO has already been used to manage traffic during fire responses, taking an extra duty away from the RCMP, Therrien noted.

As of Feb. 19, the CSO has responded to 59 calls since starting, including seven vehicle collisions and 21 bylaw matters, according to Springfield administration.

While the decision still needs to go before council, Therrien would also like to see the program be made permanent and expanded to add a second officer. He said Springfield still has extra police vehicles the officers can use if more staff are added.

Decisions on funding for the program will be made during upcoming budget discussions.

The CSO will directly report to Springfield’s CAO Colleen Draper. Therrien wants the CSO not to be focused on racking up tickets but instead building relationships with residents as someone people can call for less serious situations instead of going to the RCMP.

He noted the CSO will patrol around Springfield’s industrial parks as a deterrent to business break-ins and vandalism.

“He’s not just there to give tickets. He’s there to analyze the problem and then give some advice on how they can make their business a little bit less appealing to a criminal at night,” said Therrien.