Source URL: rmalberta.com/news/rma-continuing-to-seek-answers-on-release-of-provincial-police-service-transition-report/

RMA Continuing to Seek Answers on Release of Provincial Police Service Transition Report

The Government of Alberta received the report in April, but no specific timeline for its release has been shared

In 2020, the Government of Alberta contracted PwC to undertake a study on replacing the current RCMP municipal contract policing in Alberta with a provincial police service. The deadline for PwC to complete the study was April 30, 2021.

Over the past several months, RMA, its members, and other stakeholders have requested that the study be shared and that the Government of Alberta consult with stakeholders on the study findings and considerations related to costs, service levels, governance, and other important factors prior to making any decisions.

Since the report was submitted in April, the Government of Alberta has not provided any detailed information to stakeholders on when and how the report will be released publicly, or how engagement on the issue will proceed. In discussions with Alberta Justice and Solicitor General staff, RMA has learned that the ministry is still analyzing the report, and it is expected to be shared with cabinet in September, after which next steps will be determined. No estimates of when the report will be shared have been made available.

RMA is also concerned with the inconsistent messaging being shared by the Government of Alberta on this issue. While ministry staff have indicated that analysis is ongoing and no decisions have been made to this point, Government of Alberta documents shared during the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General’s ongoing summer speaking tour make strong claims as to the benefits of a transition to a provincial police service, describing it as “an opportunity of our lifetime” and stating that a transition will provide “better value for money,” and lead to “equal service regardless of postal code”.

RMA will continue working with Minister Madu and provincial staff to clarify details of when the report will be released.

RMA will inform members as more details become available.

Wyatt Skovron
Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com