Provincial police force should stay part of the past

By Lethbridge Herald on August 4, 2022.

Editor:

This summer, I had the pleasure of introducing new Canadian residents to the Fort Museum at Fort Macleod – exploring the fort, absorbing the history of the world-renown RCMP through engaging film, storyboards and unique displays, culminating in the delightful musical ride – a truly Canadian cultural icon.

 This brings to mind Alberta’s UCP government’s idea to replace RCMP with a provincial police force. Prior to a ‘Keep Alberta RCMP’ information session, I scanned the pWc “Alberta Provincial Police (APP) Study”, and found no allowances for training, infrastructure, administration or specialized policing services (security, cyber-crime, K9, etc) and unrealistic transition timelines. 

The APP study cost Albertans nearly $1.4 million, taken out of Alberta’s policing budget. The UCP government is considering a detailed study costing about $2 million, despite 84 per cent of Albertans and most municipalities being in favour of keeping the RCMP in Alberta.

 Alberta could lose $170 million annually in federal subsidies ending up with fewer police. Meanwhile, a critical shortage of Crown prosecutors and judges in Alberta means some crimes may not be heard in court.

I am disappointed that the Town of Coaldale has jumped on this APP bandwagon, apparently being the only municipality of this size bearing 100 per cent of police funding. Though the province is apparently lobbying on Coaldale’s behalf, it would seem that this should be a role that our Member of Parliament should fill.

Perhaps if the UCP government has millions to throw away on frivolous studies, it should also have dollars to subsidize Coaldale’s policing budget. Policing has always been challenging but now made more difficult by present-day social issues.

Trying to impose an Ontario model on Alberta will undo the progress made in rural communities and take us back decades. The Alberta Provincial Police of the past – visit the APP Barracks in Coleman in the Crowsnest Pass – should stay in the past. 

I invite anyone who agrees, to share thoughts with your MLA. Then visit and celebrate the Fort Museum, the historical Alberta Provincial Police barracks in Coleman and many of our other great tourist attractions in Southern Alberta.

Barb Goertzen

Coaldale