TAMRMS#: B06
7.1
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Policing Committee Recommendation: Increase to St. Albert RCMP Authorized Member Complement
Presented by: Aaron Giesbrecht, Acting Director, Emergency Services
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
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1. That in accordance with Article 5 of the Municipal Police Service Agreement, the Mayor be authorized to formally request the Federal Government to increase the RCMP authorized complement of the St. Albert RCMP Detachment by 10 additional members, for a total of 85.
[If the above motion is approved, then Administration recommends approval of the following motion.]
2. That Schedule O6 of City Council Policy C-FS-01 Financial Reserves be amended to increase the ceiling of the reserve from the equivalent of the estimated cost of 8 RCMP officers to 9.
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SUMMARY
This report speaks to the recommendation from the Policing Committee for Council to increase the authorized RCMP member strength by 10, in an effort to address staffing shortages and increase the total number of RCMP officers providing services to the community.
Supplementary to this, should Council increase the authorized RCMP member compliment, Administration is recommending that the RCMP Contract Expense Reserve ceiling be increased as a result of moderately increasing the risk of exceeding the annual operating budget associated to the RCMP contract.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On November 7, 2023 Council passed the following motion:
AR-23-544
That in accordance with Article 5 of the Municipal Police Service Agreement, the Mayor be authorized to formally request the Federal Government to increase the RCMP authorized complement of the St. Albert RCMP Detachment by five additional members, for a total of 75.
That Schedule O8 of City Council Policy C-FS-01 Financial Reserves be amended to increase the ceiling of budgeted RCMP officers from six to eight.
On October 3, 2023 Council passed the following motion:
AR-23-467
That the Council Policy on Policing Services C-PS-02 provided as an attachment to the October 3, 2023 Agenda Report entitled “Update to Council Policy on Policing Services C-PS-02” be approved.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
In accordance with Council Policy C-PS-02, Council has communicated that providing and maintaining appropriate resource allocations towards policing is required to ensure that St. Albert continues to be a safe community.
Further, the Policy states that to adequately resource and maintain police services the City will endeavor to have 1 (actual/billed) RCMP officer for every 1000 residents after giving due consideration to the ability to pay in the interest of all stakeholders.
Reaching a 1 to 1000 ratio, would represent approximately 73 RCMP officers working at the St. Albert Detachment. The actual number of RCMP members working and providing services to the community in the 2024/25 fiscal year was 59.23 and the projected utilization for 2025/26 is 61. The proposed operating budget for the RCMP in 2026 is based on having 65 RCMP members working.
To address the staffing shortfalls, a strategy has been adopted that “over-asks” for RCMP members, thereby increasing the City’s odds of reaching the desired number of officers. This is an ongoing strategy that requires regular monitoring for adjustments to ensure that the Council’s desired outcomes are realized and in alignment with available funding.
In November of 2023, Council approved an increase in the authorized strength from 70 to 75 officers. Although gains have been made and more officers are providing services in St. Albert, it has yet to reach the budget amount of 65 officers let alone the 73 officers that Council endeavors to reach.
The St. Albert Policing Committee monitors RCMP resources and staffing and at their September 5, 2025 meeting passed the following motion unanimously:
“That the Policing Committee recommend to Council that the Mayor be authorized to formally request the Federal Government to increase the St Albert RCMP authorized member compliment from 75 to 85.”
Should St. Albert realize more members than what are currently budgeted for, the City has a funding reserve that has been specifically designed and set aside for this scenario. The reserve is currently sitting at its maximum ceiling amount, which is the equivalent of the estimated costs for 8 RCMP officers ($1.9M).
After taking into consideration the ability to pay, should Council support the increased ask, Administration would recommend increasing the ceiling of this reserve to be the equivalent to 9 RCMP members as a result of increasing the gap between the authorized strength and the annual operating budget amount.
If the motion is passed, a letter would be drafted for the Mayor’s signature in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Police Service Agreement, requesting the additional officers, and sent to Ottawa for processing.
Once received, the RCMP will work to address the request “as soon as practicable” by training new members or, by redeploying any available members to St. Albert. This process is not immediate and although we do not anticipate it to take longer than six months, in accordance with the provisions of the contract, it could take upwards of a year before we realize any new officers.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
Established by Bylaw 13/2019 and in accordance with the Police Act, the St. Albert Policing Committee has been delegated some authority by Council on policing matters; this is inclusive of working with the RCMP on Annual Policing Priorities as well as receiving regular reports and updates on Policing matters.
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
There are no financial implications beyond what is included within the 2026 proposed budget, as the strategy is to work within the available budget.
Alongside the City’s ability to manage contractual obligations through the reserve, the Detachment Commander also has the ability to release officers if required to manage to the budget.
As part of the 2026 budget process, a postponed motion has been made for the City to complete a comprehensive policing review which will provide options/considerations around the overall policing requirements for the City as well the mix of policing resources. If the postponed motion is approved and the review completed, future budgets will need to consider any council approved changes that may result from this review.
The estimated all in average cost for one RCMP member in the 2026/27 fiscal year $252,300/yr.
Compliance & Legal:
Under the Municipal Police Service Agreement, the RCMP can fill RCMP members to the “authorized” number. If this were to occur, the City would be responsible for the policing costs. Having said this, Administration believes that the risk of this occurring is low, due to historical patterns as well as through discussions and an understanding with the local RCMP Detachment Commander.
Program or Service:
Increasing the number of authorized RCMP Officers for the City of St. Albert will have a positive impact to community safety and wellbeing as community engagement activities and pro-active patrols will be maintained and/or increased.
Organizational:
As more RCMP officers are approved, there grows a greater need to ensure appropriate building accommodations and support staff are provided to the RCMP, as per the Municipal Police Service Agreement.
Risks
The 2026 operational budget includes a budget equivalent to 65 officers and in the event that the RCMP bills over the allocated 2026 operating budget, the City may utilize the RCMP Contract Expense Reserve to address any shortfalls. The current 2025 reserve balance is $1,907,000. If the recommendation related to increasing the reserve balance ceiling is passed, it is estimated that the 2026 balance would be approximately $2.27M.
Increasing the number of authorized RCMP officers to 85 may have financial impacts in 2027 and beyond as funding for additional officers will need to be built into the budget.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Not applicable.
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
F.4.3 RCMP Police Service - Contract with Public Safety Canada that designates the RCMP as the Municipal Police Service for St. Albert.
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
ALTERNATIVE 1: That in accordance with Article 5 of the Municipal Police Service Agreement, the Mayor be authorized to formally request the Federal Government to increase the RCMP authorized complement of the St. Albert RCMP Detachment by 5 additional members, for a total of 80.
Financial:
There are no additional financial impacts should council elect to move the alternative motion.
Compliance & Legal:
There are no additional compliance or legal impacts should Council elect to move the alternative motion.
Program or Service:
By reducing the new RCMP member request from 10 to 5, Administration believes that there will still be a net positive impact to RCMP policing services by having more officers assigned and working in the community.
Organizational:
There are no additional organizational impacts should council elect to move the alternative motion.
Risks
By reducing the new RCMP member request from 10 to 5, it will reduce the risk of exceeding the 2026 operating budget therefore reducing the potential need to draw from the RCMP Contract Expense reserve.
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Report Date: December 2, 2025
Author(s): Aaron Giesbrecht
Department: Emergency Services
Department Director: Aaron Giesbrecht
Managing Director: Diane McMordie
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher