The Town of Rocky Mountain House has launched a comprehensive study to assess its policing model, with the aim of determining the best way to provide public safety services for its residents in the future.

The study is being funded in part by a $60,000 grant from the Alberta Indigenous/Municipal Police Transition Study Grant program, with the town contributing an additional $30,000 from its 2025 budget. The $60,000 study will explore various policing models, providing insight into what could work best for the community.

The study will evaluate four potential policing models:

• the current RCMP contract
• the creation of a Rocky Mountain House municipal police force
• contracting with another municipal police force
• contracting Alberta Sheriffs to act as the town’s police force

Rocky Mountain House’s current policing model relies on a Municipal Police Service Agreement (MPSA) with the RCMP. The town contracts the RCMP to provide policing services, costing $2.4 million annually, a significant portion of the municipal budget. This cost includes a “post model” arrangement where municipal, provincial, and federal officers work from the same detachment, responding not only to local calls but also to those in surrounding areas and First Nation communities.

Acting Mayor Len Phillips emphasized that the study is not “bashing” the RCMP. “We have really good police officers here, and they’re doing a great job,” Phillips said. However, town council felt it was necessary to examine whether the current model remains the most effective and financially responsible way to deliver policing services, given the changing demands of the community.

Phillips explained that the decision to conduct the study was driven by fiscal responsibility. “Policing is one of the largest budgetary items we have,” he said, adding that by reexamining the model, the town can ensure it is using taxpayer money wisely. The study is expected to take about 10 months to complete, with results anticipated by the end of 2025.

The town has been considering its policing model for some time and saw an opportunity to secure funding for the initiative. “Whenever we can get granting options from the province, we always want to seek them out,” Phillips said.

Other cities like Grande Prairie and Lacombe have implemented, or are in the process of implementing their own forces. Phillips says one of the advantages of a municipal force is the ability for municipalities to have more direct control over police operations, as opposed to working with the RCMP, a federal organization.

Public input is expected to be a crucial part of the study. The consultant conducting the study is expected to engage with residents to ensure their concerns and suggestions are considered. Additionally, a public meeting will be held early in the study process, with additional opportunities for residents to share their thoughts.

At the end of the study, the consultant will present a final report to town council, which will then be made available to the public in an open house meeting.

Those collective findings will help guide town council’s decision on the most effective policing model moving forward.

While the study is ongoing, Phillips stressed that no decisions have been made yet.

“It’s always good to re-look at things once in awhile to make sure we’re doing it the right way,” he adds.

You can read more about the proposal here.