Poll says majority of rural Albertans not in favour of provincial police force

A new poll has found that a majority of rural Albertans are not in favour of implementing a provincial police force.

The study was conducted by Leger and sponsored by the University of Lethbridge’s Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy along with the Rural Municipaliites of Alberta. Some 1,470 participants completed the survey.

Paul McLauchlin, the president of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, is a vocal opponent of the idea of a provincial police force. We asked him if he thinks the province would be moving forward with a new police force while ditching the RCMP.

“I think it’s a lot simpler to more put more boots on the ground to solve those root causes. And maybe that’s why this government’s going down that path. But two of the mandate letters actually speak specifically, and one actually very specifically says that they should move down the road to the Alberta Provincial Police Force. We have constantly been saying that this is not a great idea, it’s not supported. And actually the survey we’ve undertaken say it’s not supported. I’ve actually talked to strategists that have been working with the UCP and they say they do not understand why they’re going down this path. It doesn’t resonate locally. It doesn’t resonate with rural Albertans.”

Around 54 per cent of respondents, disagreed with the idea of Alberta having its own police service. Only 23 per cent of respondents agreed that Alberta should have the potential new police force.

Government officials haven’t made a final decision as to whether not not a provincial police force for Alberta will be established.