The talk about town right now, and in many other smaller communities like Strathmore, is about the decision to explore the creation of a provincial police force.

For now, in many small communities, the RCMP are the primary police agency.

The National Police Federal brought a pro- RCMP public consultation tour to Strathmore on Friday. The meeting was held at the Strathmore Legion. The tour has already stopped in several Alberta communities including the neighbouring community of Brooks and Medicine Hat.

The province says it is studying the potential transition to the provincial police service in 2021 and conducting a public survey in early 2022 on the topic.

Replacing the RCMP was a recommendation made by the Fair Deal Panel during public consultations in 2019 and 2020.

One item of concern is that if the province takes over the responsibilities of the police force, it is uncertain how much of the cost will be transferred to taxpayers.

Strathmore Mayor Pat Fule speaks about the relationship between the local RCMP and the municipality.

“The Town of Strathmore has a strong partnership with our local RCMP. Over the past several years we’ve worked together to strengthen our relationship with Siksika Nation and we’ve found success with the Town-supported Watch Clerk program,” said Mayor Pat Fule.

“The Tripartite agreement signed in 2020 highlights our commitment to work with Siksika Nation and the RCMP. Our community is safe and well supported by our RCMP detachment. We’re grateful for their work, and look forward to an ongoing partnership with the RCMP.”

In October 2021, Kaycee Madu, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General said,

“The panel recommended the creation of a provincial police service to replace the RCMP in Alberta. I was not surprised to see this recommendation. It was right in-line with what I heard over and over again this summer at the town hall sessions I conducted in rural communities across Alberta. From High Level to Cardston and Vermilion to Barrhead, I crisscrossed the province this summer listening to Albertans on my rural crime tour.”

“Let me be clear, Albertans have great respect for the hardworking frontline RCMP members who put on the uniform every day to keep our communities safe. The enormous frustration many Albertans have is with the RCMP's bureaucracy. The staffing levels in rural detachments. The transfer in and transfer out of experienced officers and the fact that our provincial police os ultimately controlled by Ottawa.,” said Madu.

There will be approximately 70 in-person and virtual meetings planned by the province for early 2022.