Plan for an Alberta police force a move toward privatization
By Lethbridge Herald on September 2, 2022.
Editor:
I am not impressed with Tyler Shandro’s handling of the health ministry “problems.” I do not support an Alberta police force over the RCMP.
I believe this is another step in the UCP and PC movement ideologically toward privatization.
We Albertans need more money put into health care and emergency, social services, and housing needs. There is no need to further pursue this red herring.
The UCP is pretty good at using distraction to divert public attention on issues they do not know how to deal with.
This government has a serious problem in their lack of good experienced people; they have no depth in people to handle ministerial portfolio.
Members who mishandle departments are simply transferred to run another ministry.
The UCP loves confrontation. They stir emotion over facts, opinion over evidence, comparing apples and oranges.
Don Ryane
Lethbridge
11-10
That’s exactly what it is Don. Taking the costs away from the provincial and federal governments and forcing the property owners to pay the whole shot. It’s no different than Ralph Klein dumping the costs of power and natural gas onto the backs of taxpayers.
Oh I get-it FC its all about the money and not the quality of policing here?
Do we not need a “Alberta 1st” policing policy Don? That way they answer to Alberta and not Ottawa. Maybe be we can avoid the Gestapo-like raids on homes like in the case of the High-River floods. Surely that raid came down from the capital.
Mr Ryane
I agree. Sadly; it appears there may be serious issues of concern within the operation/management of the RCMP (sexual harassment, inadequate resources, possibly old, outdated and inadequate equipment including; radio equipment and firearms and perhaps insufficient up to date training in the complex issue of mental health which too many people face today.
The world, the country appears to be different more dangerous, from the past, simpler times. After two to three years of significant disruption of daily routines, daily life; many people are angry, confused, frustrated, stressed, upset.
The police are always a target, they are under constant scrutiny, and often damned if they do and damned if they don’t. Because of the above, it is said morale is low within the ranks and recruitment issues abound within this once noble and highly respected police force world wide. Some RCMP officers admit training; working conditions would be better with a private force. Some police forces within the USA have developed a new acronym, for specific circumstances; (FIDO = F – It Drive On)
Gun crime is escalating dramatically across the country (97 shootings in Calgary to date). It appears obvious, these events occur primarily, within the criminal/gang related population. For some reason the Federal Government revised Mandatory Minimum Penalties for some gun related offenses. Please see below:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2021/12/mandatory-minimum-penalties-to-be-repealed.html#:~:text=Bill%20C%2D5%3A%C2%A0Mandatory,Department%20of%20Justice%20Canada
According to polls taken, the majority of Albertan’s support the RCMP and do not want to change to a private police force. Yet as usual the UCP appears to be willing to ignore these polls and go ahead with privatization at increased expense on the premise that “We are going to show Ottawa we can’t be bullied anymore, that Ottawa has done enough damage to Alberta”.
I agree with the premise that Ottawa has done more than enough damage to Alberta. But can a new UCP leader really effectively create a more independent Alberta from Ottawa’s grip? I truly don’t know, I would love to see it happen if possible.
Tragically, the worst mass casualty shooting in the country occurred in Nova Scotia, policed by the RCMP. My heart goes out to the innocent victims, and their families, loved ones, bystanders and the RCMP officers for the tragedy and trauma endured and senseless loss of life.
Given recent developments within the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission; could it be the real problem, was the attempt to politicize this tragic circumstance by the powers that be after the tragic event by; the Prime Minister, the Minister of Safety, and the Commissioner of the RCMP?
I do not want to sound like I am picking on the RCMP. I am not. I have the utmost respect for RCMP officers and any police officer. It is not fair to be an arm chair critic in this circumstance. It is just tragic and heartbreaking.
Much like the military, this inquiry and others suggest the RCMP were not provided with proper resources and training by this government long before this tragic event took place in Nova Scotia.
It is somewhat ironic that it was not until Russia invaded Ukraine that the Prime Minister recognized our military defense system was woefully underfunded, and only because NATO embarrassed the Prime Minister are military resources being upgraded in the north.
So what happened to this national icon of pride. Were the RCMP victims of chronic underfunding and political interference?
Thankfully there are some ethical officers who took a stand against the bullying taking place after the fact.
The following represents changes the RCMP recently planned.
https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/rcmp-change-initiatives-status-update#:~:text=Initiatives%3A%20Status%20update-,RCMP%20Change%20Initiatives%3A%20Status%20update,-The%20Merlo%2DDavidson
.
Now the current Commissioner of the RCMP believes they can make additional changes to fix a broken system. It appears obvious something needs to be fixed, or changed within the RCMP.
It is easy to criticize, but I wonder if those repairs should start with turfing the people who created the damage in the first place out the door, and a new leadership /management structure implemented? The ex – Minster of Defense was demoted due to incompetence. Why can’t the RCMP Commissioner, and Minister of Safety and Bill Blair? All who appear to have some challenges with getting their stories straight.
I like the RCMP. I want them to stay in Alberta. I do not believe the creation of a new more expensive police force is an effective use of resources.
Instead; I wonder if alternate ideas could work to improve the RCMP in Alberta. With oil and gas prices at such high levels, and the provincial government once again in a surplus position. With no other alternate energy infrastructure anywhere near, I wonder why we continue to pay $30 Million dollars to the WAR ROOM.
Perhaps this money could be more effective; allocated to the RCMP for additional service, training and resources in Alberta..