Alberta introduces bill to create new police force, but says it won’t force out RCMP

— The Alberta government has introduced legislation to elevate its sheriff service department into a new standalone police force.

It was part of a twofold announcement by Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis, who says Alberta is also bringing in electronic ankle-bracelet monitoring.

Ellis says the new police force will be independent, subject to civilian oversight and will work alongside existing municipal and First Nations police agencies and the RCMP.

The RCMP will continue to operate as the provincial police service and there is no timeline on when the new police force will be created.

Ellis stressed the move is not about abandoning the Mounties.

“In the clearest terms possible, this legislation does not create a provincial police service [to replace] the RCMP,” Ellis told reporters at a news conference prior to introducing the proposed legislation in the house Wednesday.

“Our aim here is to bring the police-like functions that the Alberta sheriffs have taken on over time under the same kind of legislative framework and civilian oversight as Alberta’s police services.”

He said he is duty-bound to create contingency plans to handle staffing gaps being experienced by the RCMP and other municipal forces.

“They’re short on the number that they’re supposed to have,” said Ellis.

“The RCMP just do not have enough human beings to police Canada. Regardless of the amount of money that we give them, they’re having trouble from a hiring perspective.

“That’s a challenge. I get that. But I can’t wait for them to just figure things out. When somebody calls 911… I expect somebody to show up to that call. And sadly, in certain areas, that has been a bit of a challenge.”

Alberta’s sheriffs already handle duties such as court security and commercial vehicle inspection.

They have recently seen that work expanded to include handling fugitive apprehension, impaired driving and distracted driving cases, and helping police keep order in downtown Edmonton and Calgary.

Alberta’s United Conservative government has been working for years on revamping policing to better respond to crime.