The details

IntroDuction
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IntroDuction

Explore some of the opportunities that would become available with the creation of an Alberta Police Service.

The Details

Making an informed decision

THE CONTEXT

Under the RCMP contract, municipal and provincial governments have limits in how they can advocate for changes on a community level. Room for improvement includes:

Modernizing Civilian Oversight and Governance Structure

The RCMP operates under federal legislation, regulations, and policy. That limits provincial or community oversight or governance.

Updated Recruitment and Detachment Staffing

Recruiting, staffing, and transfers are national decisions. RCMP members and their families who want to stay in Alberta may not be able to. Transferring in and out of Alberta disrupts relationships between members, families, and the communities where they feel at home.

Localized Training

All RCMP officers are currently trained in Saskatchewan to a national standard that enables the federal government to transfer members across Canada. We believe that there is an opportunity to train police officers right here at home. This would lead to better recruitment and retention and ensure that Alberta’s new recruits are provided with training that suits the distinct needs of our province.

Improved Capacity for Forensic Laboratory Processing

The national forensic lab system prioritizes only the most serious criminal evidence from across Canada and only rarely processes evidence for offences such as property crime. Alberta needs its own forensic laboratory system so that all forensic evidence is processed.

Representation in Cost Negotiations

The federal government unilaterally signed a multi-year collective agreement that resulted in dramatic increases to costs for municipalities. While Alberta’s government supports efforts to fairly compensate RCMP officers, the provincial government and municipalities that contract with the RCMP were not allowed to participate at the negotiating table. Alberta needs a model that puts Albertans in control of critical decisions about policing in the province. Learn more here.

THE RESEARCH

The Alberta government hired PricewaterhouseCoopers to look into opportunities for an Alberta Police Service.

Research focused on finances and operations, and found the made-in-Alberta solution is possible. The report also found several ways that an Alberta Police Service would better match police services with the needs and desires of Albertans.

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The Details

Key opportunities

PwC
findings

The following are key ways a new Alberta Police Service could address Albertans' specific needs.

Accountable to Albertans

Open

An Alberta Police Service would have a clear governance structure. Provincial and local police commissions would work alongside an independent civilian-led oversight committee to make sure the service is accountable to urban, rural and Indigenous communities.

Diverse and Adaptable Service Offerings

Open

An Alberta Police Service would diversify its frontline staff to fill more community needs. Hiring health, family, and social work professionals as part of a new staffing model means experts would respond to calls that don't need a police officer.

Improved Communication and Collaboration

Open

The RCMP is separated from other service-providing agencies in Alberta. An Alberta Police Service would remove barriers between Alberta's law enforcement agencies and partners. Partners include municipal police, First Nations police, community peace officers, social services, and more.

Increasing the Size of Detachments

Open

An Alberta Police Service would increase the number of frontline police officers compared to today's model. Rural Alberta would have more provincial police officers and higher minimum staff sizes in detachments. This would deliver better local coverage and more high-quality services in smaller communities. Minimum sizing would increase overall staffing levels in 42 out of 113 detachments.

Flexible, Responsive, and Customizable Approaches

Open

An Alberta Police Service would keep decision-making in the province. This would help police adapt to the distinct needs of individual communities. This would also help modernize local recruitment and training, resulting in a stronger connection between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

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The future of
provincial policing

Imagine a future where you and others have the right police services and resources at the right place and time, anywhere in Alberta.

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