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By rdnewsNOW staff

Policing

Alberta RCMP marks OCCtober with launch of Next-Generation 9-1-1

Oct 4, 2025 | 9:00 AM

The Alberta RCMP is marking another year of OCCtober, a campaign that Mounties say recognizes the hard work of its Operational Communications Centres (OCC), with the launch of Next-Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1).

Among the first agencies in Alberta to implement this upgrade for its OCC, officials say NG9-1-1 benefits both public and officer safety by transforming how emergency calls are placed, how data is shared, as well as police response.

As of Oct. 1, 2025, NG9-1-1 has the following benefits:

• Improved caller location accuracy: Rather than relying solely on cell-tower approximations for latitude and longitude, NG911 will be able to use cell GPS location. Altitude is a feature that will be available in the future.
• Live coordinates: A caller’s location coordinates will now update live when on the line with an operator.
• Clear indication when a call is disconnected: Operators now have a clear indication when a caller has disconnected.

Future benefits coming soon to NG9-1-1:

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• Text-to-9-1-1: NG9-1-1 will soon enable capabilities for the public to contact 9-1-1 via text messaging. This can be critical for situations in which speaking safely is not possible.
• Photo/Video–to-9-1-1: Photo and video capabilities will be possible in the future, giving callers the ability to share real-time photos and videos with Alberta RCMP OCC operators to help inform police response.
• Interagency data sharing & response: NG-9-1-1 will soon allow data sharing among communication centres across Alberta and Canada, improving situational awareness for both operators and first responders. Additionally, callers will be able to report occurrences happening across the country, with immediate transfers to the appropriate agency.

“Thanks to the committed teams in our Informatics unit and Operational Communications Centres, we are rolling out NG9-1-1 one and a half years ahead of the mandated deadline,” says Deputy Commissioner Trevor Daroux, Commanding Officer of the Alberta RCMP, in a press release. “This is a strong example where dedicated people, through innovation, move technology forward, enhancing both public and police officer safety. NG9-1-1 allows for increased accuracy and interoperability to the extent not previously possible.”

“This upgrade provides benefits that change the landscape of call-taking, not just for the Alberta RCMP but for municipalities, such as St. Albert, Strathcona County, and Lloydminster, that rely on the technology of the Alberta RCMP to operate their own dispatch centres,” adds Chris Spence, Alberta RCMP OCC Director.