Alberta RCMP services have received funding for new RCMP police officers and civilian support positions. The 76 new police officers and 57 new civilian support positions across Alberta will be focused on providing support, whether directly or indirectly, for rural Alberta communities.
“We know that targeting and reducing rural crime goes hand-in-hand with sufficient resources as demonstrated by boots on the ground,” a release from Alberta RCMP states.
The Thorsby RCMP detachment will be receiving one frontline police position as a result of the funding. Other central Alberta detachments gaining new frontline police positions include: Camrose, Blackfalds, Leduc, Morinville, Parkland, Rocky Mountain House (two positions), Stettler, and Strathcona.
According to RCMP Alberta, frontline support units and specialized units will benefit communities across Alberta by augmenting RCMP detachment resources through critical frontline support and coordinated specialized operational, tactical, and investigational services.
“Policing and public safety resourcing levels continue to be an issue for rural communities across Alberta. It is encouraging to see the RCMP partially investing the increased police cost contributions from rural municipalities into frontline resources in rural Alberta,” says Al Kemmere, President of Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA).
Factors such as travel time, call volume, types of crime in the area, size of the detachment, and time available for proactive policing played into the allocation of the new positions for 2020-21.
Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki, Commanding Officer for the Alberta RCMP says, “The RCMP is committed to working in partnership with our communities to ensure Albertans feel safe, in their homes, in their backyards, and in their farmyards.”
shaela.dansereau@pipestoneflyer.ca
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