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By Regan Tate

New website details what a provincial police force would like in Alberta

Aug 3, 2022 | 11:54 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The provincial government is launching a new website to give Albertans a better idea about what a provincial police force may look like.

The website is called futureofABpolicing.ca and provides information about the opportunities a new provincial police service could bring, including improved civilian oversight, more front-line police officers and better service levels across the province.

The province hired Pricewaterhousecooper (PwC) in 2020 to study the feasibility of transitioning to a provincial police service.

The report found it costs Alberta about $500 million a year to pay for the RCMP with Ottawa contributing about $170-million through a cost sharing agreement.

According to PwC it would cost millions of dollars more to set up and run a provincial police force but down the road could result in more cost-effective law enforcement.

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With the release of this new website, the province says no decision has been on proceeding with an Alberta police service. The government says it is doing due diligence by going to Albertans to talk directly about this issue.

Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Tyler Shandro says “Albertans have told us they want more details about the potential benefits of a provincial police service. As all levels of government across the country review their policing models, Albertans need to have all the information available.”

Currently, a number of municipalities and First Nations have their own police services and others are exploring the possibility of setting up their own. Alberta’s government supports this work and has established a grant to support municipalities and First Nations as they explore the possibility of forming their own police service.

In addition to increasing the number of officers in rural areas, transitioning to a provincial police service would improve governance and give municipalities more say in setting their own policing priorities. This model would also provide greater coverage, reduce response times and lower case loads per officer.