Provincial police force study moves ahead

By Janet Kanters, Editor

The provincial government has retained PwC Canada to provide the government with an independent assessment of a possible transition to an Alberta provincial police service.

According to the government, during the Fair Deal Panel’s consultations, Albertans expressed their frustrations with the RCMP. Concerns included the force is overly bureaucratic, RCMP members have a limited connection to the province, members are unable or unwilling to confront activists, and there is a heavy-handed enforcement of gun laws.

In response, the Fair Deal Panel recommended the government of Alberta consider replacing the RCMP with a provincial police service. While it supported the panel’s recommendation, the government stated it would undertake further analysis.

“Through the Fair Deal Panel, Albertans who are policed by the RCMP told their government that they want a provincial police service,” said Kaycee Madu, Alberta’s Minister of Justice and Solicitor General. “Alberta’s government has an obligation to listen to those concerns and explore how a police force designed in Alberta – not Ottawa – would improve the safety and security of Albertans and their property.”

Madu added the provincial police service transition study will allow the government to make an informed decision as to whether a dedicated provincial police service is in the best interests of Albertans. The study will also consider operational requirements, processes and potential costs for creating a provincial police service.

According to Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki, commanding officer of the Alberta RCMP, there are over 4,500 Alberta RCMP employees who work in Alberta.

“It is my role to ensure Albertans receive professional, responsive police services, and I will continue to do just that,” he noted. “I have made many recent visits throughout the province, meeting with local government and community leaders, Indigenous chiefs and elders, and a variety of organizational leaders who represent rural and municipal interests in Alberta. I’ve heard often that Alberta RCMP employees are engaged, are doing great work, and are supported in their communities.”

Zablocki added the RCMP’s first priority has always been, and will continue to be, keeping Albertans safe. “I believe our success in that priority has been due to the strong partnerships and support we have built together with those we serve, and we will remain committed to working closely with those citizens and communities.”

The budget for the analysis is $2 million. PwC is expected to provide a final analysis to the government for its consideration by April 30, 2021.