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RCMP to fund new Police Officer and Civilian Support Positions

Jul 2, 2020 | 3:22 PM

EDMONTON, AB– The announcement of Alberta’s Police Funding Model has resulted in additional resources for Alberta RCMP for 2020-2021.

76 new police officers and 57 new civilian support positions will be added.

The new resources will directly or indirectly support frontline policing in communities we serve across rural Alberta.

To determine the allocation of new resources, an analysis of workload was undertaken at each detachment location.

RCMP say the filled positions include 25 frontline police positions in Alberta rural communities; 18 centralized police officer positions to provide support and specialized services to all rural Alberta RCMP detachments; and three civilian support positions to provide administrative and program support across the RCMP provincial jurisdiction.

The following detachments have received new frontline police positions:

  • Western Alberta District: Five positions – Beaverlodge, Edson, Evansburg, Mayerthorpe and Valleyview
  • Southern Alberta District: Five positions – Airdrie (two positions), Cochrane, Okotoks and Strathmore
  • Central Alberta District: 10 positions – Camrose, Blackfalds, Leduc, Morinville, Parkland, Rocky Mountain House (two positions), Stettler, Strathcona and Thorsby
  • Eastern Alberta District: Five positions – Athabasca, Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Elk Point and St. Paul

This analysis included factors such as travel time, call volume, the type of crimes occurring in the area, the amount of time required for investigations, size of detachment, and time available for proactive policing, which includes strategic patrols, community engagement, visiting schools, and attending community events.

“Rural Albertans asked for action against rising crime, and our government responded with Alberta’s largest single investment in policing since the RCMP’s March West. Putting more boots on the ground in rural Alberta will help protect residents and ensure they feel safe in their communities,” says Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Doug Schweitzer.

The new funding comes in response to the concerns expressed by rural Alberta communities.