The Police Funding Model (PFM) is set to expire on March 31, 2025. It is currently unknown when or if the Government of Alberta (GOA) will conduct engagement with municipalities in advance of renewing the PFM. In preparation for possible upcoming engagement, the RMA conducted a PFM survey to better understand member perspectives on the PFM and the extent to which it has impacted policing services in rural communities. Key findings of the survey are summarized in a What We Heard document.
The survey and findings are divided into four themes:
Theme 1: Attitudes and Experiences
Respondents were generally unsupportive of the PFM’s introduction and continue not to support it in September 2024. The top concern with the PFM was the imposition of a new cost without a corresponding increase in provincial police service levels.
Theme 2: Budgets
To respond to the addition of a new cost to their budget, many respondents had to increase property taxes and/or decrease support for community services.
Theme 3: Service Levels
Respondents valued working with their local RCMP detachment(s), strongly desired to see lower vacancy rates for local RCMP positions, and on average viewed policing service levels as unchanged or slightly decreased since the PFM was introduced.
Theme 4: PFM Changes
Respondents viewed the PFM as unjustified for several reasons. If the PFM continues, respondents place the highest priority on an increase in local provincial police service levels as the GOA promised when the PFM was introduced.
The RMA is continuing to explore the PFM’s impact on rural municipalities and will provide more information to members in the coming months.
Ashley Hadley
Policy & Research Analyst
825.319.2284
ashley@RMAlberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
General Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com