TAMRMS#: B05
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BUDGET INFORMATION REQUEST (BIR) - Policing Services Review & Long Term Policing Strategies
Requested by: Councillor Korotash
Date of Request: November 17, 2025
Date Response Due: November 21, 2025
Confidential: No
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QUESTION
recommendation
Could you please provide clarification on areas of overlap between a potential police services review (council initiated) and the already approved long term policing strategy. Specifically, the budget briefing on the policing services review indicates it will assess the number of policing resources (RCMP & Bylaw) for optimal policing delivery and financial considerations. Are there overlaps here (ie will the long term policing strategy also do this?)
Furthermore, if we proceed with the policing services review and the long term policing strategies put on hold as the business case suggests, are there any cost savings or increased capacity to complete other long term plans?
Lastly, just confirming there is no provincial money for this review? I believe they have funded or partially funded other similar reviews in the past.
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RESPONSE
The long-term planning for policing services is included within the Community Well Being Strategy (CWBS) rather than being a separate, stand-alone strategy. On August 15, 2025, Council approved motion CM-23-38 “That Council direct Administration to include the creation of a new long-term policing strategy into the Community Well Being Plan to be developed in 2026.” This approach aligns with Council Policy C-CG-06 City of St. Albert Strategic Framework.
Typically, this type of review is done before the strategy is developed, or it is identified as an initiative as part of the strategy implementation plan to help inform future updates of the strategy. Conducting a Policing review in 2026 aligns well with CWBS development, as its findings can strengthen the long-term plan for policing and guide implementation over the next five to ten years.
It is important to note that if the Policing review proceeds, Administration would recommend delaying the development of the CWBS until the review is completed or at least some steps in the process as it relates to Policing. This would also delay development of long-term plans for recreation and parks, culture and social services program areas, because those programs are also part of the Community Well-Being Strategy.
There will be no cost savings if the Community Well Being Strategy does not proceed because most of the work is done by internal resources. Spending any required budget would only be delayed. Development of a standalone Policing strategy was not planned so budget or resources were not allocated to this work.
Also, the Policing review will only delay the development of the CWBS. Some resources would focus their time on the Policing review and across other priorities, and some capacity would be used to start the process for the CWBS until it can be fully completed following the Policing review. Other strategies planned for 2026 will proceed as planned because different teams and resources are participating in that process.
The provincial grant that was available in the past (Indigenous and Municipal Police Transition Study Grant) is no longer available, however should Council proceed with the review, Administration has intentions to contact the appropriate minister and request funding assistance as an exception. The grant that was available provided up to $30,000 to municipalities that were researching public safety needs and different policing models.
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Report Date: November 20, 2025
Author(s): Darija Slokar, Manager, Strategic Services and Aaron Giesbrecht, Acting Director, Emergency Services
Department: Financial and Strategic Services and Emergency Services
Department Director: Anne Victoor and Aaron Giesbrecht
Managing Director: Diane McMordie
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher