Daniel Smith Imposes Ministerial Creation of Alberta Police

Alberta’s Prime Minister Daniel Smith’s decision to replace the RCMP with state police could prompt other states to do the same, prompting RCMP reforms, former Mounties and criminologists say. says.

Darryl Davis, a professor of criminology at Carleton University, said Alberta’s move was appropriate and overdue.

“The RCMP failed to address legitimate criticism by many experts that their command and control structure was dysfunctional and outdated. The numbers have forced Alberta’s hand,” Davis told the Epoch Times.

“The failure of the federal government and several public security ministers to modernize and reform the RCMP over the past decade directly contributes to this situation.”

Smith authorized the creation of the State Police on November 9. power of attorney To Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services. “Led by the Minister of Justice, we will work with local authorities to launch the Alberta Police,” Smith wrote.

Momentum to form the Alberta Police Force began in 2019 with hearings by the Alberta Police. fair deal panelIn response to the commission’s recommendation to create state police, the Department of Justice and Attorney General contracted PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to prepare a report to assess transition requirements from the RCMP. . Submitted by PwC the analysis Further stakeholder consultations followed in October 2021.

Davies said the reputation of the RCMP has declined, not just in Alberta.

“The promotion system is flawed and the military no longer has the support of many soldiers, many of whom work in very remote areas without adequate support and backup,” he said. rice field.

Larry Comeau, a 36-year cavalryman who retired to the post of Superintendent, suggests that Western grievances have been boiling over for decades.

“There has always been frustration in the West… [provinces in the] The West is being policed ​​by RCMP members in Eastern states,” Comeau told the Epoch Times.

“In Ontario and Quebec, the provincial police can focus entirely on the priorities of those provinces. We found it. This is what the western states wanted.”

“I have to give you something”

in AprilBC MLA’s all-party committee recommended that states follow the example of Ontario and Quebec by having their own National Guard. opt out of the contract and state militia.

Comeau believes Alberta’s departure from the RCMP marks the “beginning of the end” for general contract police and could bring other “major changes” to its operations.

“RCMP has resisted change for years, but now it may be forced,” he wrote.

“For too long, the RCMP has taken on more and more missions without acquiring the necessary resources. Considering they perform the same functions as the FBI, Secret Service, DEA, USINS, Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Marshall Service, etc., plus contract police, something has to be given !”

Members of parliament share similar views. In June 2021, House Committee We have determined that the RCMP’s role as a contract police force is focused on local and federal police. The Commission recommends that the federal government consider ending police contracts and work with states, territories and local governments to help interested parties establish their own police force. Did.

opposition and question

PwC reported that Alberta’s service contract with the RCMP costs the province $500 million a year, with the federal government contributing an additional $170 million. However, Alberta’s police services will require $366 million in initial costs, or $735 million annually, he estimates.

In March Municipalities of Albertaa group of 69 counties and municipalities in Alberta, passed a resolution Continue to support the RCMP and oppose the creation of the State Police Service. This is one of the reasons for the increase in local government costs.

In November Federation of National Police Agency (NPF) is the union representing 20,000 RCMP members across Canada, with only 26% in Alberta supporting replacement of the RCMP, 60% against and 14% undecided, with public opinion suggesting announced a survey. The NPF has issued a letter to the Alberta government urging them to keep her RCMP. Signed by 73 towns, villages, counties and unions.

Low recruitment can lead to additional problems.

Leland Keane, who retired as a firearms instructor in 2019 after 32 years with the RCMP, said the RCMP has struggled to attract new candidates and Alberta’s state police will face similar hurdles. Told.

Keane told the Epoch Times, “Right now, recruiting someone into the police force is challenging regardless of power.

” [RCMP] Bleeding experienced police. Very few people apply. Few of my peers would recommend a career to an influential person. The withdrawal of troops from any state can be caused by attrition, not politics. ”

Rob Creaser, a retired cavalryman, says if the Alberta Police are to be a “done deal,” it’s a good thing they’re better funded than the RCMP.

“When I was a service member, all I wanted was to have the right resources, both financial and human, so I could be effective at work and competitive. You will receive certain financial and benefits,” Crieser said in an email.

“The reward issue has finally been resolved, but we are still far from where we need to be when it comes to resources. Hopefully that will change with local power.”