RCMP Const. Nick Wyczynski of the RCMP’s Airdrie integrated rural detachment with fish and wildlife officer Matt Michaud. (Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

Fish and Wildlife officers can now assist RCMP if requested

Apr 1, 2021 | 12:45 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Government of Alberta says a new initiative will add 140 pairs of boots on the ground in rural areas.

As part of the Rural Alberta Provincial Integrated Defence (RAPID) Response initiative, Alberta Fish and Wildlife members are able to help RCMP with emergency and high-priority calls when requested, particularly if they are able to arrive on scene first.

Peace officers in the Alberta Sheriffs, which includes Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services, now have the ability to respond to a wider range of calls.

“Rural Albertans told us loud and clear that it can take too long for help to arrive in their communities,” says Justice Minister Kaycee Madu. “With RAPID Response, highly trained and professional peace officers will work across rural Alberta to answer the call when police need help to save precious minutes in an emergency.”

In addition to Fish and Wildlife, traffic sherrifs will soon join the RAPID ranks as well later this year.

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This will see approximately 260 members of the Sheriff Highway Patrol take part in additional training for a wider range of calls including impaired driving.

“Giving traffic sheriffs the authority to handle more incidents on provincial highways will allow the RCMP to leave more officers on patrol and available to respond to higher-priority criminal matters,” reads a statement from the provincial government.

The province is speaking with First Nations and Metis leaders to see if they would be interested in expanding RAPID Response to their communities.