Municipal Police Service Review

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Consultation has concluded

Grande Prairie City Council approved the transition to a municipal police service at the March 6 City Council meeting. For further information on the Municipal Police Service, please visit cityofgp.com/municipalpolicing.

The City of Grande Prairie currently contracts the RCMP as its municipal police service provider through a Municipal Police Services Agreement (MPSA). The City also provides operational and administrative support for the RCMP through its Municipal Support Section, Enforcement Services, Mobile Outreach and Collision Reporting Centre.

The Government of Alberta is currently conducting its own review of a provincial police service. If the Province were to form their own police service, then the RCMP will no longer be available to provide municipal contract policing in the City of Grande Prairie or elsewhere in Alberta.


In anticipation of a coming decision point of police service delivery in the community, Grande Prairie City Council initiated a Police Service Model Review to assess the historical, current and future states of policing in Grande Prairie.

Following the review, Council instructed administration to develop a detailed transition and public consultation plan to further assess establishing a municipal police service, which would provide Grande Prairie with a local, responsive and independent municipal police that meets the community needs.

Community Engagement

The City contracted MNP to execute the community engagement and detailed transition plan for the establishment of a municipal police service.

The community engagement included:

  • A survey that took approximately 10 minutes
  • A questions space to ask questions about municipal policing
  • Two public open houses in January
  • Stakeholder interviews and focus groups

Survey

Residents were invited to share their feedback on what their priorities are for a modern municipal police service. The survey ran from December 6 - 23, 2022. 

Public Open Houses

Residents were invited to two public open houses to learn more about the municipal policing model and how it compares with Grande Prairie's current policing model. There were opportunities to provide feedback on the two models with MNP, the community engagement consultant.



The public open houses took place at Teresa Sargent Hall inside Montrose Cultural Centre (9839 103 Ave) during the following dates and times:

  • January 16 | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
  • January 17 | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

The public open houses were drop-in format and free to attend for all residents.


Grande Prairie City Council approved the transition to a municipal police service at the March 6 City Council meeting. For further information on the Municipal Police Service, please visit cityofgp.com/municipalpolicing.

The City of Grande Prairie currently contracts the RCMP as its municipal police service provider through a Municipal Police Services Agreement (MPSA). The City also provides operational and administrative support for the RCMP through its Municipal Support Section, Enforcement Services, Mobile Outreach and Collision Reporting Centre.

The Government of Alberta is currently conducting its own review of a provincial police service. If the Province were to form their own police service, then the RCMP will no longer be available to provide municipal contract policing in the City of Grande Prairie or elsewhere in Alberta.


In anticipation of a coming decision point of police service delivery in the community, Grande Prairie City Council initiated a Police Service Model Review to assess the historical, current and future states of policing in Grande Prairie.

Following the review, Council instructed administration to develop a detailed transition and public consultation plan to further assess establishing a municipal police service, which would provide Grande Prairie with a local, responsive and independent municipal police that meets the community needs.

Community Engagement

The City contracted MNP to execute the community engagement and detailed transition plan for the establishment of a municipal police service.

The community engagement included:

  • A survey that took approximately 10 minutes
  • A questions space to ask questions about municipal policing
  • Two public open houses in January
  • Stakeholder interviews and focus groups

Survey

Residents were invited to share their feedback on what their priorities are for a modern municipal police service. The survey ran from December 6 - 23, 2022. 

Public Open Houses

Residents were invited to two public open houses to learn more about the municipal policing model and how it compares with Grande Prairie's current policing model. There were opportunities to provide feedback on the two models with MNP, the community engagement consultant.



The public open houses took place at Teresa Sargent Hall inside Montrose Cultural Centre (9839 103 Ave) during the following dates and times:

  • January 16 | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
  • January 17 | 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

The public open houses were drop-in format and free to attend for all residents.


Consultation has concluded

Use this section to ask any questions related to the municipal police service review. City Administration will review and follow-up to all posted questions.  

Please note, questions may be responded to publicly or privately, depending on the scope and sensitivity of the question.

  • Share It has been recently noted that enforcement officers with higher education levels utilize more verbal skills to de-escalate situations than police officers with lower education levels, leading to less severe outcomes in situations involving higher educated police officers. How do you plan to attract the interest of potential police officers with higher education levels? Other high paying police forces like Edmonton or Calgary City Police, or the RCMP, offer high paying jobs and have strict requirements for applicants. How will Grande Prairie compete with these police services to attract applicants without lowering application standards and increasing taxes? on Facebook Share It has been recently noted that enforcement officers with higher education levels utilize more verbal skills to de-escalate situations than police officers with lower education levels, leading to less severe outcomes in situations involving higher educated police officers. How do you plan to attract the interest of potential police officers with higher education levels? Other high paying police forces like Edmonton or Calgary City Police, or the RCMP, offer high paying jobs and have strict requirements for applicants. How will Grande Prairie compete with these police services to attract applicants without lowering application standards and increasing taxes? on Twitter Share It has been recently noted that enforcement officers with higher education levels utilize more verbal skills to de-escalate situations than police officers with lower education levels, leading to less severe outcomes in situations involving higher educated police officers. How do you plan to attract the interest of potential police officers with higher education levels? Other high paying police forces like Edmonton or Calgary City Police, or the RCMP, offer high paying jobs and have strict requirements for applicants. How will Grande Prairie compete with these police services to attract applicants without lowering application standards and increasing taxes? on Linkedin Email It has been recently noted that enforcement officers with higher education levels utilize more verbal skills to de-escalate situations than police officers with lower education levels, leading to less severe outcomes in situations involving higher educated police officers. How do you plan to attract the interest of potential police officers with higher education levels? Other high paying police forces like Edmonton or Calgary City Police, or the RCMP, offer high paying jobs and have strict requirements for applicants. How will Grande Prairie compete with these police services to attract applicants without lowering application standards and increasing taxes? link

    It has been recently noted that enforcement officers with higher education levels utilize more verbal skills to de-escalate situations than police officers with lower education levels, leading to less severe outcomes in situations involving higher educated police officers. How do you plan to attract the interest of potential police officers with higher education levels? Other high paying police forces like Edmonton or Calgary City Police, or the RCMP, offer high paying jobs and have strict requirements for applicants. How will Grande Prairie compete with these police services to attract applicants without lowering application standards and increasing taxes?

    John asked over 2 years ago

    The following documents provide detailed information on retention, recruitment and application requirements for a municipal police service. Please click on the links to learn more about the requirements and standards. 

  • Share What is the expected date of launch? ie. boots on the ground. on Facebook Share What is the expected date of launch? ie. boots on the ground. on Twitter Share What is the expected date of launch? ie. boots on the ground. on Linkedin Email What is the expected date of launch? ie. boots on the ground. link

    What is the expected date of launch? ie. boots on the ground.

    pleblanc asked over 2 years ago

    If the decision is to move forward with a Municipal Police Service then the City would commence establishing the Municipal Police Commission in the spring. The Commission would likely then hire the Chief of Police in the summer, meaning the initial recruitment of police officers would commence in the fall. The transition to becoming the police service of jurisdiction will be a multi-year process. To learn more about the transition plan, please click on the link here. 

  • Share How would this affect Peace Officers? Are they connected to RCMP or a separate entity? Are peace officers provincial or federal? Would they continue to work with any new police force like they do currently with the RCMP? on Facebook Share How would this affect Peace Officers? Are they connected to RCMP or a separate entity? Are peace officers provincial or federal? Would they continue to work with any new police force like they do currently with the RCMP? on Twitter Share How would this affect Peace Officers? Are they connected to RCMP or a separate entity? Are peace officers provincial or federal? Would they continue to work with any new police force like they do currently with the RCMP? on Linkedin Email How would this affect Peace Officers? Are they connected to RCMP or a separate entity? Are peace officers provincial or federal? Would they continue to work with any new police force like they do currently with the RCMP? link

    How would this affect Peace Officers? Are they connected to RCMP or a separate entity? Are peace officers provincial or federal? Would they continue to work with any new police force like they do currently with the RCMP?

    Lisa asked over 2 years ago

    Peace Officers are employed by the City of Grande Prairie and are not connected to the RCMP. They do however provide support to the RCMP and provide emergency response, investigation and education related to animal control, bylaw enforcement and provincial statue enforcement. Please click on the document here to learn more about policing in Grande Prairie.

  • Share If current RCMP are facing challenges to recruitment, what would make it any different by moving to a municipal service? Also what level of training is required by municipal police vs RCMP? on Facebook Share If current RCMP are facing challenges to recruitment, what would make it any different by moving to a municipal service? Also what level of training is required by municipal police vs RCMP? on Twitter Share If current RCMP are facing challenges to recruitment, what would make it any different by moving to a municipal service? Also what level of training is required by municipal police vs RCMP? on Linkedin Email If current RCMP are facing challenges to recruitment, what would make it any different by moving to a municipal service? Also what level of training is required by municipal police vs RCMP? link

    If current RCMP are facing challenges to recruitment, what would make it any different by moving to a municipal service? Also what level of training is required by municipal police vs RCMP?

    Full.360 asked over 2 years ago

    The following documents provide detailed information on training, recruitment and retention. Please click on the links to learn more. 

  • Share How much training will these individuals have? How qualified will they be? on Facebook Share How much training will these individuals have? How qualified will they be? on Twitter Share How much training will these individuals have? How qualified will they be? on Linkedin Email How much training will these individuals have? How qualified will they be? link

    How much training will these individuals have? How qualified will they be?

    C. Rhyason asked over 2 years ago

    The following documents provide detailed information on training and recruitment. Please click on the links to learn more. 

  • Share How do you propose to attract and retain the qualified professionals to staff the law enforcement positions competing with the rest of the country where this challenge is not being met. on Facebook Share How do you propose to attract and retain the qualified professionals to staff the law enforcement positions competing with the rest of the country where this challenge is not being met. on Twitter Share How do you propose to attract and retain the qualified professionals to staff the law enforcement positions competing with the rest of the country where this challenge is not being met. on Linkedin Email How do you propose to attract and retain the qualified professionals to staff the law enforcement positions competing with the rest of the country where this challenge is not being met. link

    How do you propose to attract and retain the qualified professionals to staff the law enforcement positions competing with the rest of the country where this challenge is not being met.

    oldgper asked over 2 years ago

    Please click on the link here to view a comparison on retention. 

  • Share Cost comparison for municipal vs RCMP? on Facebook Share Cost comparison for municipal vs RCMP? on Twitter Share Cost comparison for municipal vs RCMP? on Linkedin Email Cost comparison for municipal vs RCMP? link

    Cost comparison for municipal vs RCMP?

    Charles Sleep asked over 2 years ago

    MNP LLP is currently conducting third-party financial analysis on the City’s financial assumptions and will deliver their report to Council in February. Preliminary internal modelling has shown that a municipal police service designed to maintain or enhance the current state can be achieved within the existing City budget.

  • Share How does one answer a survey on a new municipal police force that they do not support? I'm in favour of maintaining the RCMP as our municipal police force and do not appreciate the approach taken to replace them. Can a major decision like this not go to a referendum first (provincial or municipal)? on Facebook Share How does one answer a survey on a new municipal police force that they do not support? I'm in favour of maintaining the RCMP as our municipal police force and do not appreciate the approach taken to replace them. Can a major decision like this not go to a referendum first (provincial or municipal)? on Twitter Share How does one answer a survey on a new municipal police force that they do not support? I'm in favour of maintaining the RCMP as our municipal police force and do not appreciate the approach taken to replace them. Can a major decision like this not go to a referendum first (provincial or municipal)? on Linkedin Email How does one answer a survey on a new municipal police force that they do not support? I'm in favour of maintaining the RCMP as our municipal police force and do not appreciate the approach taken to replace them. Can a major decision like this not go to a referendum first (provincial or municipal)? link

    How does one answer a survey on a new municipal police force that they do not support? I'm in favour of maintaining the RCMP as our municipal police force and do not appreciate the approach taken to replace them. Can a major decision like this not go to a referendum first (provincial or municipal)?

    James asked over 2 years ago

    Thank you for the question. The survey was only one step of a multi-step process to allow City Council to best understand the current state of policing in the City and what policing model makes most sense for the community into the future. 

    You can provide additional feedback by attending our Public Open Houses on January 16 and 17 from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Teresa Sargent Hall in the Montrose Cultural Centre. More details can be found here: engage.cityofgp.com/municipalpolice

  • Share What does the City or Province hope to gain with a provincial police force? If there are changes needed then work with the current force and make them. Starting all over seems to be a waste of money and time in my opinion. on Facebook Share What does the City or Province hope to gain with a provincial police force? If there are changes needed then work with the current force and make them. Starting all over seems to be a waste of money and time in my opinion. on Twitter Share What does the City or Province hope to gain with a provincial police force? If there are changes needed then work with the current force and make them. Starting all over seems to be a waste of money and time in my opinion. on Linkedin Email What does the City or Province hope to gain with a provincial police force? If there are changes needed then work with the current force and make them. Starting all over seems to be a waste of money and time in my opinion. link

    What does the City or Province hope to gain with a provincial police force? If there are changes needed then work with the current force and make them. Starting all over seems to be a waste of money and time in my opinion.

    BuddyTat asked over 2 years ago

    The City has not formed an opinion on a Provincial Police Service. The municipal policing review is focused on assessing the advantages and disadvantages of continuing the existing RCMP contract versus the formation of a new municipal police service. The review involves a multi-step process that will identify the law enforcement needs of our community and compare what model would best support meeting those needs. 

  • Share Has the city looked at all costs accociated with the switch including training, equipment, technology systems, capital investments such as buildings/vehicles. I am sure there is a huge cost to this over and above our current use of the RCMP, where is the money coming from? Taxpayer base? Have they been asked if they want to pay more for a possibly inferior police force? Why are other municipalities that have tried to switch over to a municipal police force switching back to the rcmp? Is it the cost? The difficulty recruiting quality help? on Facebook Share Has the city looked at all costs accociated with the switch including training, equipment, technology systems, capital investments such as buildings/vehicles. I am sure there is a huge cost to this over and above our current use of the RCMP, where is the money coming from? Taxpayer base? Have they been asked if they want to pay more for a possibly inferior police force? Why are other municipalities that have tried to switch over to a municipal police force switching back to the rcmp? Is it the cost? The difficulty recruiting quality help? on Twitter Share Has the city looked at all costs accociated with the switch including training, equipment, technology systems, capital investments such as buildings/vehicles. I am sure there is a huge cost to this over and above our current use of the RCMP, where is the money coming from? Taxpayer base? Have they been asked if they want to pay more for a possibly inferior police force? Why are other municipalities that have tried to switch over to a municipal police force switching back to the rcmp? Is it the cost? The difficulty recruiting quality help? on Linkedin Email Has the city looked at all costs accociated with the switch including training, equipment, technology systems, capital investments such as buildings/vehicles. I am sure there is a huge cost to this over and above our current use of the RCMP, where is the money coming from? Taxpayer base? Have they been asked if they want to pay more for a possibly inferior police force? Why are other municipalities that have tried to switch over to a municipal police force switching back to the rcmp? Is it the cost? The difficulty recruiting quality help? link

    Has the city looked at all costs accociated with the switch including training, equipment, technology systems, capital investments such as buildings/vehicles. I am sure there is a huge cost to this over and above our current use of the RCMP, where is the money coming from? Taxpayer base? Have they been asked if they want to pay more for a possibly inferior police force? Why are other municipalities that have tried to switch over to a municipal police force switching back to the rcmp? Is it the cost? The difficulty recruiting quality help?

    Cary asked over 2 years ago

    Thank you for the questions. The Municipal Police Transition team has completed initial modeling of these items and understands the implications related to both start-up/transition and on-going operations. City Council has hired a third-party consultant to perform independent analysis of the proposed policing model and the associated costs. The consultant report is expected to be delivered at a City Council meeting in February.