The Town of Rocky Mountain House is inviting residents to weigh in on the future of policing in the community through a newly launched public feedback survey.
The survey, which is open until May 6, 2025, is part of a broader study aimed at evaluating potential alternatives to the town’s current RCMP policing model. Officials say the survey is designed to capture residents’ perceptions of public safety and how effectively current police services are meeting the needs of the community.
Residents are encouraged to complete the survey, which takes roughly 8 to 10 minutes, and covers topics such as personal feelings of safety, changes in public safety over the past five years, knowledge of who oversees local policing decisions, and the perceived value of services received for the town’s $2.4 million annual policing cost.
The feedback will help inform a $90,000 policing study launched earlier this year, which is partially funded by a $60,000 grant from the Alberta Indigenous/Municipal Police Transition Study Grant program. The remaining $30,000 is being covered through the town’s 2025 budget.
The study is exploring four policing models: maintaining the current RCMP contract, establishing a municipal police force, contracting with another municipal police agency, or utilizing Alberta Sheriffs.
Acting Mayor Len Phillips said the study is not a critique of the RCMP, but a chance to assess whether the current system—where local and regional policing are handled through a shared RCMP detachment—is still the best fit.
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“Policing is one of the largest items in our budget, and we have a responsibility to make sure we’re spending wisely,” Phillips said.
Public input is expected to be an important factor in shaping the town’s final decision. In addition to the online survey, a public meeting is expected in late May to give the public additional opportunities to provide feedback. A date has yet to be determined.
You can complete the survey here.
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