More than eight out of 10 Albertans want to keep the RCMP, although many want to see changes, says a recent poll.
The National Police Federation (NPF) commissioned the poll of 1,200 adult Albertans in June by independent research firm Pollara Strategic Insights. It is the sixth poll of its kind undertaken since October 2020 after the idea of provincial police force was given new life by the Fair Deal Panel's report.
Among respondents, 44 per cent are satisfied with the service provided by RCMP and want to retain them. Forty-two per cent said they had concerns with the RCMP but would support keeping them with "locally-agreed improvements."
Only seven per cent agreed that Alberta needed to replace Mounties with a municipal police force. Six per cent didn't know.
The results are similar to those recorded in the five previous surveys.
In RCMP-served communities, 77 per cent were very or somewhat satisfied with their policing. Eighteen per cent were not very satisfied or not satisfied at all and five per cent didn't know.
NPF Prairie and North Region director Kevin Halwa said support for the RCMP has been consistently high across all six surveys.
"To be quite honest, that does not surprise me at all," said Halwa, whose organization represents 20,000 Mounties in Canada and internationally.
Across the country, officers are routinely approached by members of the public and thanked for their efforts and the force is valued, he said.
For those seeking improvements, the RCMP is always finding ways to improve service. "That can be anything from hours of operation to local priority tweaking."
Mounties are also embracing technologies, such as drones, and are aware that what worked a decade ago may not be as effective today, he added.
"Some of the improvements that can be made are being made. The public may not see the actual changes but I expect they will see the results."
The survey also found policing and public safety is hardly a pressing concern. Affordability and cost of living were top concern of 48 per cent, followed by health care at 24 per cent and the economy at 14 per cent. Climate change and environment came next at four per cent, three per cent picked education.
Only one per cent picked policing and public safety as their biggest concern.
This is the first survey since the province announced its Independent Agency Police Service.
Bill 11 — the Public Safety Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 — was passed in May and forms what the province terms an Independent Agency Police Service that will take on some of the roles the government has passed on to the Alberta Sheriffs in recent years. The government says the agency will not replace the RCMP but will support the RCMP, municipal police services, and First Nations police services.
It would also create a civilian oversight board for the new agency that the government says would operate similarly to local police commissions.
Twenty-eight per cent of respondents called the agency a good or very good idea and 34 per cent said it was bad or very bad. A clear sign that many minds are not made up is the 37 per cent who answered not sure.
In making his case for the agency, Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis said that the Alberta RCMP is understaffed by roughly 400 officers, which boosts crime rates and means the province is paying $16 million for services it is not getting.
The NPF says that situation has improved with a "significant resurgence" in recruitment. The 17,500 applications received in the 2023/24 year is up 80 per cent from the year prior.
"Coupled with surging recruitment and the RCMP's ability to deploy Members to communities across Alberta, now is the time for government to capitalize on this strong momentum," said NPF president and CEO Brian Sauvé in a statement accompanying the survey results.
Asked whether he thinks the province is getting the message that Albertans do not want to see their Mounties replaced, he said, "I sure hope so."
RCMP support is clear when he talks to municipal representatives, the general public and others.
"I certainly hope the MLAs and elected minister of the Government of Alberta will either see it for themselves or start listening to the people who have made their voices clear that they're not interested in going down these other routes."
Nearly nine out of 10 respondents agreed that before any changes are made to municipal policing detailed accounting of the cost and impact on service levels is needed.
