Alberta RCMP welcomes provincial funding to help address rural crime
Today (Mar. 9), the Government of Alberta announced an investment of $8 million that will enable Alberta RCMP to place more employees where they can make the most impact: on the streets and in communities across the province.
This investment demonstrates the province’s confidence in the Alberta RCMP’s systematic and evidence-led Crime Reduction Strategy – a collaborative policing approach designed to address the root causes of crime and breaking the cycle of criminal activity in a community.
In partnership with the province, Alberta RCMP has developed an action plan that will enable the Force to address rural crime by adding 39 new officer positions and 40 civilian employees in areas that will ultimately lead to more RCMP officers on the road.
The investment represents additional support for Crime Reduction Units in communities that need it the most, six new intelligence-focused officers, four additional crime analysts and more civilian staff to cut down on paperwork so that officers can focus on investigations, patrols, and engaging with their communities.
“Rural Crime Reduction Units are designed to act fast to target repeat offenders who commit the vast majority of crimes in an area,” said Deputy Commissioner Todd Shean. “I can assure you, if you are committing crime in Alberta, we will identify you and we will stop you.”
“Rural police officers are part of their communities,” said Kathleen Ganley, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General. “They do difficult and extremely important work every day. I want to thank the RCMP for the work they do to protect Albertans. I’m confident this plan will give our rural police officers more tools in their toolbox to fight crime.”
The RCMP is proud to be the rural police force of Alberta. With the cooperation and support of the Government of Alberta and other community partners, Albertans can be certain that the RCMP’s crime reduction strategies in rural communities will be innovative, sophisticated and successful.
Quick Facts:
• Each RCMP District is equipped with a Crime Reduction Team dedicated to targeting prolific offenders, particularly in the areas of break and enters, vehicle thefts and thefts of other property.
• District Crime Reduction Teams have arrested 219 people, have laid 469 Criminal and Drug charges and have arrested 170 wanted persons.
• The Alberta RCMP Traffic Units (RTU), in addition to promoting highway safety through enforcement activities, are also targeting traveling criminals. In January 2018 alone, the RTU Traffic Units made 9 major seizures of drugs and contraband, totalling in excess of $1.3 million. This resulted in 14 arrests and 19 new Criminal charges being laid.
Rural Crime Reduction Units are designed to act fast to target repeat offenders who commit the vast majority of crimes in an area, said Deputy Commissioner Todd Shean. I can assure you, if you are committing crime in Alberta, we will identify you and we will stop you.