Current Policing in Alberta
The RCMP provides policing services in Alberta under a contract with the provincial government. This agreement covers rural areas and many municipalities. The current contract runs until 2032. Calgary and Edmonton have their own municipal police services.
What Would a Provincial Police Force Look Like?
A provincial police service would be similar to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) or Sûreté du Québec (SQ). It would be governed by provincial legislation, staffed by provincially-employed officers, and accountable to the provincial government.
Key Considerations
Arguments for a Provincial Force
- Local Accountability: Officers would be accountable to provincial authorities rather than federal command structures.
- Tailored Policing: Policies and priorities could be set specifically for Alberta communities.
- Staffing Control: The province could set its own recruitment, training, and deployment policies.
- Rural Presence: Some argue a provincial force could address RCMP staffing shortfalls in rural areas.
Arguments for Keeping the RCMP
- Established Infrastructure: The RCMP has existing training facilities, equipment, and systems.
- Federal Cost-Sharing: The federal government covers 30% of RCMP contract policing costs.
- Specialization: Access to federal resources for major investigations, terrorism, and organized crime.
- Transition Risks: Creating a new police service is complex and could create gaps in coverage.
Cost Estimates
Studies on transition costs vary widely. The provincial government has commissioned reports suggesting potential savings, while critics argue that startup costs and loss of federal funding could make a provincial force more expensive initially.
Questions to Consider
- What matters most to you in policing: local control, cost, or specialized federal resources?
- How should rural and remote communities be prioritized?
- What accountability mechanisms should exist for any police service?