Vacancy rates of RCMP in Alberta at 20%: Minister Ellis

Minister Ellis says that money will be used towards “independent police agency.”

An op-ed by the province’s Minister of Public Safety & Emergency Services says that the vacancy rates of RCMP officers in Alberta is concerning.

Ellis cited stats obtained by the National Post in 2023, says that Alberta’s vacancy rate is 20 per cent. That means of a total of 1,911 officers that are authorized in Alberta, there are only 1,522 actually working.

These are positions are paid for, but are not filled.

Locally, Cold Lake policing stats reported last Tuesday at city council, showed that there are two hard vacancies in the detachment, and four soft vacancies.

“Make no mistake, we are paying for these services that we aren’t receiving. Alberta’s taxpayers are paying tens of millions of dollars for nearly 400 vacant RCMP officer positions – for boots that are not on the ground,” Ellis’ editorial says. 

Ellis says Budget 2024 will provide an additional $20.9 million to communities covered by the Provincial Police Service Agreement to bolster the RCMP’s capacity to respond to crime, and discussed a newly tabled bill that a independent agency could cover gaps. 

“That is why I recently tabled Bill 11, the Public Safety and Emergency Service Statutes Amendment Act 2024. If passed, Bill 11, will enable the creation of an independent police agency to help augment and support other police services in the province, including the RCMP.

“Public safety and policing needs have evolved in the province. These changes would enable the new, independent police agency to be responsible for carrying out police-like functions that are already currently being performed by the Alberta Sheriffs. 

“This includes functions such as fugitive apprehension, highway patrol and surveillance. These initiatives are aimed at supplementing the efforts of local police services by having sheriffs perform some specialized law enforcement functions.”