EDMONTON, Alta., September 20, 2022 /CNW/ – Here is a statement from the Regional Directors of the National Police Federation Kevin Halwa and Jeff McGowanand vice president Michel Boutinin response to a recent statement by Joseph DowPress Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General.

“In a statement released late last week, the office of the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General of alberta continued to double down on misleading promises and claims that transitioning to a provincial police force will not result in additional costs, as well as other misinformation regarding RCMP policing in the province.

The government of from Alberta own transition study clearly shows that a provincial police service will cost Albertans more than $550 million in transition costs, including $370 million difficult transition costs and the loss of annual federal contributions of $188 million. Without a magic money tree to shake for funds, these costs will be borne by the province’s only taxpayer – Albertans – either in the form of new fees or the loss of other government-funded services that are already exhausted. indicate.

Additionally, the province’s latest deployment model shows that a provincial police service would cost Albertans $759 million operating expenses each year – an increase of $164 million of the current costs of the provincial police services of $595 million — and would only add 56 net new cops. So far, the government has not explained that the increase in rural police stations under its proposed police service would come mainly from moving officers from urban centres, not directly increasing staff from ‘law application. This reallocation will leave these urban municipalities with fewer resources available to respond to crime in their communities.

Rather than playing ball games with from Alberta law enforcement, government alberta could use the same $164 million to add over 600 constables – more than 10 times the number of new officers provided under the proposal for the same cost – and have a real impact on the rural community’s crime-fighting priorities.

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It is also essential to note that there are currently no plans for the Government of Canada to end contract policing agreements, so there is no reason for the province to start preparing for this fictional scenario now. Ongoing reviews of policing are welcome to ensure that all provinces and communities receive the best possible policing services, but reviews do not mean the end of RCMP policing agreements and are often successful. to demonstrate their effectiveness.

from Alberta RCMP members are proud to live and serve from Alberta communities. They are proud Albertans, and proud constables. The alberta The RCMP maintains strong ties to its communities, which is reflected in the high levels of satisfaction among the communities served by the RCMP and in support for the conservation of alberta RCMP. In July 2022, an overwhelming majority of Albertans (84%) told us they want to keep the RCMP while only 9% support a transition. Last week we also released an update Call to action the government to abandon this proposal, which has been signed by 94 municipalities and stakeholders across the province.

We continue to encourage the province to drop this unwanted proposal, listen to Albertans, and address their real concerns: fixing the justice system, investing in existing police resources, and expanding the essential social services that Albertans care about most. . »

About the National Police Federation:

The National Police Federation (NPF) has been certified to represent approximately 20,000 RCMP members serving in Canada and internationally in the summer of 2019. The NPF is the largest police labor relations organization Canada; the second largest of North America and is the first independent national association to represent members of the RCMP.

The NPF is focused on improving public safety in Canada focusing on increasing resources, equipment, training and other supports for our members who have been underfunded for too long. Better resources and supports for the RCMP will improve the safety and quality of life of the communities we serve, large and small, through Canada.

For more information: https://npf-fpn.com and KeepAlbertaRCMP.ca

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SOURCE National Police Federation

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