Should Provincial Officers Help Police Rural Alberta?

Official title: RAPID Response engagement

Closed Policy & Studies Justice & Rights
Alberta expanded the roles of about 400 fish and wildlife officers and sheriff highway patrol members. The goal? Faster emergency response times in rural areas. These officers now back up the RCMP on high-priority calls, freeing Mounties to focus on rural crime.

Why This Matters

Live in rural Alberta? This affects how fast help arrives when you call 911. With RCMP stretched thin across vast distances, having more officers who can respond to emergencies could mean the difference between waiting 20 minutes or an hour.

What Could Change

This has already been implemented. Fish and wildlife officers started RAPID Response duties in April 2021, and sheriff highway patrol followed in July 2021. These officers now respond to emergencies and high-priority calls across most RCMP-policed rural Alberta.

Key Issues

  • How can provincial officers best support RCMP emergency response?
  • What training and coordination is needed for expanded officer roles?

What Happened

The consultation led to the RAPID Response implementation plan. Fish and wildlife officers began expanded duties on April 1, 2021, followed by sheriff highway patrol on July 1, 2021. The program now covers most rural Alberta areas policed by the RCMP. Stakeholders consulted included municipal and Indigenous governments, the RCMP, Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police, and rural crime watch associations.