A report to the Province shows creating a provincial police force is realistic, cost-effective, and worth serious further consideration.

The UCP government hired PwC Canada in October 2020 to study the feasibility of replacing the RCMP in Alberta with a provincial police service. It follows a recommendation from the Fair Deal Panel.

The report explores the operational needs, processes, and potential transition costs and puts forward a provincial model that would put more front-line personnel in communities across Alberta at a total cost equal to, or lower than, the total cost of the RCMP contract policing model now used in Alberta.

"A much stronger model of community policing, with closer integration of social services and the involvement of Indigenous people in governance, holds real potential for improving policing in Alberta," said Premier Jason Kenney.

The Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Kaycee Madu toured a number of communities this past summer including Millarville and Claresholm hearing from residents about rural crime.

"PwC Canada has developed a policing model that could address long-standing concerns about response times in rural areas and put more boots on the ground," said Madu. "We are eager to share these innovative and thought-provoking ideas with stakeholders and hear their thoughts over the coming months."

According to the report, the policing model presented by PwC proposes innovative approaches that have the potential to better address the root causes of crime through built-in partnerships with mental health and addictions professionals.

PwC also proposes establishing a provincial police commission and commissions at the local level to increase accountability and ensuring a governance role for Indigenous people.

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki delivered a message to Citizens and Community Partners in response to the provincial police service study.  The Province plans to go back to stakeholders starting in November.