A survey from the University of Lethbridge has found that the majority of rural residents do not support replacing the RCMP with a new provincial police service, April 13, 2023. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Rural Albertans opposed to provincial police force: survey

Apr 15, 2023 | 4:00 PM

COALDALE, AB – A new survey conducted by the University of Lethbridge (U of L) shows that the majority of rural Albertans do not want to replace the RCMP with a provincial police force.

Back in August 2022, the Government of Alberta unveiled its proposal for a provincial police service.

Tyler Shandro, who was the Minister of Justice at the time, said the current model is too centralized and that the proposed system would provide more services and officers.

The study was done by the university’s Prentice Institute for Global population and Economy, as well as the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA).

According to a media release from the U of L, it gauged public perceptions about policing, focusing on rural Albertans. A total of 1,470 people completed the survey.

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Approximately 54 per cent of respondent said they disagreed with the idea of Alberta having its own distinct provincial police service while 23 per cent were in favour.

The release states that the majority of respondents reported having a high level of trust in the RCMP and felt that funding for it should be maintained.

Most agreed or strongly agreed that the RCMP is doing a good or excellent job.

U of L political science professor Dr. Lars Hallstrom said the findings of the study are quite clear.

“Similar to the results of other recent polling, there is limited support for the removal of the existing police structure and replacing it with a provincial police force,” said Hallstrom. “Although there is some variation, depending on where people live in the province, the emphasis is really upon maintain and improve, not replace.”

The survey also tackled other areas of law and order.

More than half of survey participants (56 per cent) felt that crime in their communities was increasing.

Approximately 79 per cent answered that they believe the court system is not hard enough on criminals and over 70 per cent felt that the courts are too lenient.

“There are clearly areas for improvement, both from a practical and a policy standpoint, but there is really very little support for discarding what is already in place,” said Hallstrom. “When we factor in the well-documented costs associated with that approach, it’s pretty clear where public opinion lands.”

In a similar study from Calgary-based firm Janet Brown on behalf of Alberta Municipalities earlier this year, 85 per cent of respondents said that if the Government of Alberta decided to go ahead with a provincial police service, it should be put to a referendum first.