The community safety officer for Grand Forks will have a different look in the new year.
The changes come after a workplace risk assessment directed by WorkSafeBC after Jon Wilson was attacked in Gyro Park in October.
Wilson told city council on Monday they are putting a number of measures in place based on recommendations from the agency.
“That involved taking a very comprehensive look at the range of work that I do, the hours that I do that, the environment that I work in, which is often one that is a work alone type situation,” Wilson said.
As part of “control measures,” he will carry a radio with life monitoring to emergency dispatch and will have a work alone cell phone app with a panic button feature.
Wilson says t here’s a different look for the uniform and truck that will show a “clear indication” of peace officer status.
“That uniform is dark blue. It has a red stripe down the pant leg,” Wilson said. “It will be a little bit of a different look within the community but certainly my role will continue to be supportive in nature to work with our residents and enforce community expectations around whether it’s our homeless population or the bylaw enforcement work we do on behalf of the city.”
The uniform, similar to other B.C. bylaw enforcement officers, will include shoulder patches and the pickup truck will clearly identify Wilson as a peace officer.
Asked by Coun. Neil Krog whether he whether he wears body armour, Wilson says he does along with a body camera. Wilson believes the body camera “went a long way” to supporting the Crown’s position to lay charges.
Andre Robert Conn will stand trial in February 2024 on five charges including assault with a weapon.