Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Tyler Shandro provided more information on what a provincial police service would mean for rural Alberta.
The proposed service would add 275 front-line police officers to the smallest 42 detachments in Alberta. Currently, there is no minimum number of front-line officers and some have as few as three officers. Under the provincial force, detachments would be guaranteed a minimum of 10 front-line police officers.
“Community detachments would also have civilian mental health and addictions specialists available to provide support to front line response,” explained Shandro.
The proposed model will have 65-85 community detachments that consist of a minimum number of 10 police officers and a maximum of 80 officers working in them. In addition to beefing up police in rural communities, a network of 20 to 30 service hub detachments, with a staffing range between 48 and 192 police officers, would serve residents of larger municipalities and provide support to nearby community detachments when needed, including mental health response.
Shandro also believes a provincial police force would have several benefits for Indigenous communities.
“The model that we are announcing today is tailored to meet the unique needs to Indigenous communities and Alberta Police Service will provide dedicated support to self-administered First Nations Police Services through its hub detachments making it easier for First Nations to establish and as well to maintain their own self-administered First Nation Police Service,” said Shandro.
He believes a provincial police force would be better equipped to handle the unique needs of every individual community in Alberta.
The Government of Alberta has not made a decision to establish a police service yet. You can learn more about the provincial police force here.
Thu, Apr 18, 7:00 PM
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