City of Grande Prairie expected to vote on municipal police force Monday | 24CA News
A municipality in northern Alberta is assembly Monday to debate a proposed metropolis police power that might exchange the RCMP.
The Alberta authorities introduced final month that it could give Grande Prairie $9.7 million if council have been to vote in favour of building a metropolis police power.
The whole price of the proposed police service is estimated to be $19 million.
The province has stated it could assist cowl startup and transitional prices over two years.
The RCMP at present gives policing providers to town of about 64,000 folks.
City council heard that the 2022 price range for policing supplied by RCMP (estimated bills minus grants and revenues) was $25.8 million.
City council is anticipated to decide Monday afternoon.
“This isn’t a new exploration for us. This has been over a couple of years,” Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton stated at a news convention Feb. 22.
She says there are various advantages to switching from the RCMP to a municipal police service.
“Including increasing local oversight, accountability and efficiency offered through a local police commission and local decision-making autonomy,” Clayton added.
She additionally believes this may enhance officer recruitment and assist with retention.
Read extra:
Alberta price range to incorporate cash to assist municipalities transition away from RCMP
The province is partnering with municipalities to assist them with prices associated to beginning their very own municipal police providers.
“It’s about saying: ‘What’s the best needs for that municipality?’ In some cases, there are some municipalities that have reached out to us and made it explicitly clear, saying: ‘We are content with the current model that we have,’” Alberta public security minister Mike Ellis stated.
— With information from Global News
© 2023 The Canadian Press
