Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Advocates for Provincial Police Force

Alberta’s Policing Future: A Shift Towards Provincial Control

In a significant move that reflects her government’s evolving stance on public safety, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has expressed intentions to explore the establishment of a provincial police force. This comes alongside her recent discussions on withdrawing from the Canada Pension Plan. Smith has previously raised the prospect of replacing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) with a dedicated provincial police service.

As it stands, Alberta has relied on the RCMP for rural policing for over 90 years, similar to other provinces, except Ontario and Quebec, which maintain their own provincial forces. Many cities within Alberta also depend on the federal police force for their law enforcement needs. However, the ongoing debates regarding the cost-effectiveness and quality of RCMP services have resulted in periodic dissatisfaction among Albertans.

In March, Smith’s government took a significant step by introducing legislation that would pave the way for the creation of a new provincial police agency. Despite this initiative, officials have clarified that there are no immediate plans to eliminate the RCMP, leaving many questions unanswered about the specifics and timeline for this new policing entity. Premier Smith has indicated that the transition would be gradual and potentially utilize existing law enforcement frameworks.

“We’ve also decided to create our own police force under the sheriffs,” Smith stated during a recent United Conservative Party meeting. This statement was reported by The Edmonton Journal and was made in response to inquiries regarding what actions politicians could take to influence the criminal justice system in Alberta. The discussions signal a pivotal moment in the province’s approach to policing, aiming to enhance local control and accountability.