The Rural Municipality of Hanover is announcing a considerable shift in the types of bylaws it can now enforce.

Spokesperson Paul Wiebe says back in October they hired Trevor Schellenberg as Bylaw Enforcement Officer. Schellenberg had previously been working for the City of Steinbach. Hanover also then signed onto the Community Safety Officer (CSO) program, which allows the municipality to enforce much more than just bylaws and road restrictions. 

"We are just in the process of getting a lot of those things going," says Wiebe. "We are really looking forward to implementing that fully."

To aid with enforcement efforts, the municipality purchased a new vehicle in January. The municipality has nearly completed the task of making sure the truck has all of the equipment necessary for the CSO position. 

"We've made a substantial investment for this position," notes Wiebe. "We do know that there will be some payback for it with (Schellenberg) being able to issue more than just bylaw fines."

Though he does not expect the position to be a money maker, Wiebe says they certainly anticipate being able to recoup some of their costs through fines. 

"Once this vehicle is fully outfitted it will be a real asset for our officer and he will be able to do his job a lot more effectively," adds Wiebe. 

He says they anticipate the CSO program will be a real success in Hanover.

Meanwhile, Schellenberg says the implementation of the CSO program means he can issue tickets under the Provincial Offences Act (POA). Schellenberg now has the status of peace officer and has the authority under several sections of the Highway Traffic Act. He can also issue tickets under the Off-Road Vehicles Act, Mental Health Act, and Liquor Control Act.

"Some of our bylaws we will actually be able to put under a POA bylaw and we'll be able to ticket that under a provincial offense notice," he explains. "So, it will have a little more strength than just a municipal ticket."

Schellenberg says initially, Community Safety Officers were able to issue tickets for things like failing to obey traffic control devices, the use of mobile phones, and not wearing seatbelts. He notes it has advanced to the point where Community Safety Officers will be able to issue tickets for speeding, imprudent or careless driving, and other serious highway offenses. 

To get to this point, Schellenberg says he completed a three-week course dedicated to the CSO program. He will also be taking a level two class which could include training in sobriety testing.