TAMRMS#: B06
13.3
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Review of Policing Services
Notice given by: Councillor MacKay
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PROPOSED MOTION(S):
recommendation
That Administration prepare a business case to conduct a review of policing services in St. Albert, focusing on community needs, policing models including structure, opportunities for sub-regional or regional collaboration and preparedness to meet potential future policing service delivery models. The business case would define scope, resource needs and a funding source for consideration as part of budget 2026.
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ADMINISTRATION’S UNDERSTANDING OF THE INTENT OF THE MOTION
Administration understands that if this motion passes, Administration will develop an Operating Business Case that will define the intended scope, resource needs, estimated funding, and source for Council’s consideration to approve during the 2026 budget deliberations.
ADMINISTRATION’S RECOMMENDATION
That Administration prepare a business case to conduct a review of policing services in St. Albert, focusing on community needs, policing models including structure, opportunities for sub-regional or regional collaboration, and preparedness to meet potential future policing service delivery models. The business case would define scope, resource needs, and a funding source for consideration as part of budget 2027. Prior to business case development and presentation to Council for consideration, Administration shall seek and include feedback from the Policing Committee.
See Alternative one.
PURPOSE OF REPORT
The purpose of this report is to present a motion for which Councillor MacKay gave notice on August 6, 2025.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Alberta Police Act requires cities with populations over 5,000 to provide policing services to their municipality by:
- Entering into an agreement with the Province of Alberta for the provision of Policing services by the provincial police service (subject to the costs as determined by the Minister), or
- Entering into an agreement with the Government of Canada for the provision of Policing Services by the RCMP, or
- Establishing a regional police service with at least one other municipality, or
- Establishing their own police service, or
- Entering into an agreement with an independent agency police service for the provision of policing services.
In accordance with Council Policy C-PS-02, Policing Services, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is the current police agency of choice serving the City of St. Albert.
The Province of Alberta recently established an independent agency police service, the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service (ASPS). This service was designed to provide municipalities with an alternative option for providing policing services to their community. No details have been revealed as to when the newly established ASPS will be able to offer policing services to an urban municipality such as St. Albert; however, during the press conference announcing this new agency, Premier Daniele Smith did indicate that the province was willing to accept and start discussions with communities who did wish to further explore this option.
The City of St. Albert’s agreement with the Government of Canada for RCMP Policing Services ends in 2032. Contained within the agreement is a provision for either the City of St. Albert or the Government of Canada to end the agreement before this date, this would be achieved by providing 24-months written notice to the other party.
During his time in office, the previous Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, authorized the release of a white paper indicating a need for the RCMP to exit contract policing, focusing the organization on its Federal Policing mandate. The current Canadian Government has not provided any notice to municipalities who contract the RCMP of their intention to no longer make these services available. They have, however, stated that they are committed to honoring their current contractual agreements making it unlikely that the Government of Canada will provide notice to end the current agreement earlier than 2032.
It is important to note that, even if the RCMP continues to provide contract services to Provinces and Municipalities, the Alberta Government may move to amend the Police Act, removing the RCMP as an option at some point in the future.
There are currently over 51 City of St. Albert Municipal Employees operating within the Policing Services branch who work along side of and support the RCMP members in the delivery of Policing Services to the community.
Currently, City Council has authorized the strength of the St. Albert Detachment to 75 members.
The St. Albert detachment is led by the Officer in Charge, an Inspector rank, two Staff Sergeants, and six Sergeants. These officers oversee the 24/7 operations of General Duty investigators/response, as well as a Community Policing, Traffic Services, Drug, Crime Reduction, and a General Investigation section (serious crimes). The current RCMP agreement includes access to specialized RCMP services such as, but not limited to Air Services, Canine, Emergency Response Team (ERT), and Major Crimes.
IMPACTS OF MOTION
Financial:
Should this motion pass, there will be no immediate financial impacts to the City of St. Albert as a thorough review will determine what the timeline of Operational and Capital impacts will be.
It is understood that, should the beforementioned business case be passed, it would likely require procurement of a consulting firm to complete the review. The estimated cost range for a review of this nature is believed to range between $150,000 to $250,000.
It is believed that there is no source of grant funding available from the Government of Alberta to complete such a review; however, a special request may be made of the Minister, requesting financial support.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
Conducting a review of this nature could potentially have impacts to the culture and staff morale for both City of St Albert employees working within the policing services branch, as well as RCMP members working at the detachment and/or considering transferring in or out.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Item aligned to Strategic Plan:
Not Applicable
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
F.4.3 RCMP Police Services
F.4.1 911 Call Answer and Policing Dispatch Service
ALTERNATIVES
If Council does not wish to support the proposed motion, Administration presents the following alternatives for Council’s consideration.
Alternative 1:
That Administration prepare a business case to conduct a review of policing services in St. Albert, focusing on community needs, policing models including structure, opportunities for sub-regional or regional collaboration, and preparedness to meet potential future policing service delivery models. The business case would define scope, resource needs, and a funding source for consideration as part of budget 2027. Prior to business case development and presentation to Council for consideration, Administration shall seek and include feedback from the Policing Committee.
Financial:
None at this time
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time
Program or Service:
None at this time
Organizational:
None at this time
Risks
Administration believes that at this time, there is low risk associated with delaying a Policing Services review. Administration believes that it is fully recognized by all levels of Government that, should a fundamental change occur where the Province of Alberta or Government of Canada decide to change the available policing service options, it will have large and far-reaching implications for all Municipalities within Alberta.
Transitioning all municipalities at the same time would require significant planning, resources, and time. This observation is based on the learnings of the transitions of both the City of Surrey, British Columbia, and the City of Grande Prairie, here in Alberta, who have moved to their own independent services.
Although completing a study now will certainly allow for more awareness to what the City of St. Albert may encounter, Administration believes that there will not be enough information or detail available in 2026 related to the costs of the new Alberta Independent Police Agency. This detail will be key to ensure that a good and robust analysis is completed when comparing service delivery options.
The most recent study commissioned by the Town of Rockey Mountain House (July 2025), attached, provides some insight to the available options today. This particular study had a recommendation to maintain and optimize the RCMP Contract.
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Report Date: September 2, 2025
Author: Aaron Giesbrecht & Everett Cooke
Department: Emergency Services
Department Director: Everett Cooke
Managing Director: Diane McMordie
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher