The idea has drawn criticism since it was first proposed, but recent discussions to further change the policing model drew even more ire across Alberta Saturday. “I’m just very concerned that it’s going to be a lot more expensive than they think they are,” said Strathmore Mayor Pat Fuele. “We’ve worked really hard with our detachment and have a really solid group of officers. Why would we want a change?” The province proposed a plan this week that would add more officers to rural and remote communities. He also unveiled a new report showing the potential benefits of a change, pointing to successes in both Quebec and Ontario. The government is confident it can increase service levels and individualize policing by moving to an Alberta-only force. Experts still have their doubts. “The assumption that most of these officers would stay if given the chance, I think needs to be tested,” said Doug King, a professor of justice at Mount Royal University. “Retaining these people for a (supposedly) lower wage is going to be a difficult task.” While staffing levels have been discussed at length, cost is still the focus of most experts. A divestment from the RCMP would jeopardize about $170 million a year in federal funding. Starting the project would also have a big price tag. A report released in October by PricewaterhouseCoopers suggests the price tag for transitioning the RCMP would be about $366 million initially, with an annual cost of about $734 million. Attorney General Tyler Sandro called the funding a “red herring” Tuesday while pitching the idea. King sees it differently. “They’ve told the municipalities they’re not going to pay anything more,” he told CTV News. “So either (officer) salaries are going to be lower, or the big cities are going to have to pay. There’s a lot of wishful thinking going on.” Alberta’s rural municipalities have previously opposed the proposal to divest from the RCMP. “Based on the arguments the province has provided so far, there is simply no evidence that transitioning to a provincial police service will be worth the cost and disruption,” says a letter the group sent to Shandro in April. And the Nanton mayor also threw her hat into the RCMP ring this week, tweeting that rural leaders don’t want a police force in Alberta. No final decisions have been made.
