RCMP Staffing Strategy

Resolution Category Provincial Scope 20
Subject Social
Year 2012
Status Adopted - Expired
Sponsor - Mover
Fort Saskatchewan, City of
Active Clauses

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association urge the Alberta government to develop a strategy that ensures RCMP staffing levels are maintained at the agreed upon number even when RCMP absences occur.

Whereas Clauses

WHEREAS the Police Act (Alberta) provides for a municipality to receive policing services by contracting with the Federal or Provincial Government or another municipality for the provision of policing services;

WHEREAS many Alberta municipalities have contracted with the RCMP for the provision of policing services;

WHEREAS municipal councils establish and fund the number of RCMP officers needed for the community;

WHEREAS due to absences of RCMP officers for such reasons as maternity leave, paternity leave, illness, secondment, etc. the agreed upon complement of officers is rarely maintained resulting in reduced levels of policing services;

WHEREAS the RCMP do not provide replacement officers during such noted absences resulting in the need for existing RCMP officers to work overtime, increasing the cost to the municipality; and

WHEREAS many municipalities are developing one-off strategies to ensure their agreed RCMP complement is maintained.

Government Response

Oct. 31/12 - Justice and Solicitor General

During the recent renegotiations for the Provincial Police Service Agreement and Municipal Police Service Agreements, it was reaffirmed that internal matters, including RCMP human resource management, would remain the exclusive jurisdiction of the RCMP. The renewed Agreements provide for a steady state of recruitment and cadet training in order to provide for a sustainable RCMP contract police service resource base over the next 20 years. Municipal councils, in consultation with RCMP “K” division headquarters, establish and fund the number of RCMP officers needed for their communities.
 
Mar. 19/13-Justice and Solicitor General

With respect to provincial RCMP resources and your request for an update on the status of the new positions added in 2011, I can advise as follows. Government of Alberta Budget 2012 provided for an increase of 30 RCMP Provincial Police Services members in 20 12-2013, and more recently, Budget 2013 announced another 10 provincial police service members in 2013-2014. While it is the role of the Government of Alberta to determine the overall provincial policing resources under the Provincial Police Service Agreement by way of the provincial budget, the actual number of RCMP officers assigned to each detachment is determined by the Commanding Officer of RCMP “K” Division and his executive team. The RCMP utilizes a comparative ranking analysis of all 105 provincial RCMP detachments to determine the specific resource allocation for each detachment. Factors such as member caseload, crime types and local demographics are used to determine the base level of provincial police resources posted to each detachment.
 
May 28/13—AUMA Executive Meeting with Solicitor General & Minister Public Security

Minister committed to provide AUMA with an update on staffing levels.

Oct. 31/12 - Justice and Solicitor General

During the recent renegotiations for the Provincial Police Service Agreement and Municipal Police Service Agreements, it was reaffirmed that internal matters, including RCMP human resource management, would remain the exclusive jurisdiction of the RCMP. The renewed Agreements provide for a steady state of recruitment and cadet training in order to provide for a sustainable RCMP contract police service resource base over the next 20 years. Municipal councils, in consultation with RCMP “K” division headquarters, establish and fund the number of RCMP officers needed for their communities.

Mar. 19/13-Justice and Solicitor General

With respect to provincial RCMP resources and your request for an update on the status of the new positions added in 2011, I can advise as follows. Government of Alberta Budget 2012 provided for an increase of 30 RCMP Provincial Police Services members in 20 12-2013, and more recently, Budget 2013 announced another 10 provincial police service members in 2013-2014. While it is the role of the Government of Alberta to determine the overall provincial policing resources under the Provincial Police Service Agreement by way of the provincial budget, the actual number of RCMP officers assigned to each detachment is determined by the Commanding Officer of RCMP “K” Division and his executive team. The RCMP utilizes a comparative ranking analysis of all 105 provincial RCMP detachments to determine the specific resource allocation for each detachment. Factors such as member caseload, crime types and local demographics are used to determine the base level of provincial police resources posted to each detachment.

May 28/13—AUMA Executive Meeting with Solicitor General & Minister Public Security

Minister committed to provide AUMA with an update on staffing levels.
 

Alberta Municipalities notes

AUMA considers this response.