RCMP sign, file photo. (Image: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko/LNN, with files from The Canadian Press

Alberta RCMP head not supporting provincial police proposal

Aug 22, 2022 | 3:42 PM

EDMONTON – The head of Alberta RCMP says a proposal by the provincial government to form its own police service has been a distraction and harmful to its members.

Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki says the idea has been hanging over the organization’s head for nearly two years and is having a negative effect on both morale and confidence.

Zablocki says the most recent proposal by the United Conservative government has a lot of similarities to what the RCMP already provides.

He says support from the public, as well as municipalities, has been strong and he hopes the Alberta government will seek input from the general public before making a final decision.

The Alberta government held a webinar on the future of policing on Monday, August 22, 2022, which included the former head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and other experts.

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Justice Minister Tyler Shandro said last week that the proposed policing model would provide more services and officers. He hopes to be able to add 275 additional front-line police officers to the smallest 42 detachments.

Richard Fadden says policing remains a provincial responsibility and needs to be more accountable the power over the RCMP remains in Ottawa under the current model.

The idea of a new provincial police service in Alberta has proven to be controversial as Alberta Municipalities, which represents over 80 per cent of the province’s 334 municipalities, formally declared its opposition earlier this year.

READ MORE: New website details what a provincial police force would look like in Alberta

The Town of Coaldale, however, is supportive of it, as Mayor Jack Van Rijn told LNN back in May 2022 that the RCMP has been overcharging them for services for many years.