Survey shows Albertans not interested in provincial police force: NPF

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on August 30, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The National Police Federation is urging the Alberta government to halt the creation of a new independent police service and focus on strengthening and investing in the current policing services that are already trusted and supported by Albertans.
Earlier this week the NPF released survey results that highlight low levels of awareness, engagement and support for a new independent police service in Alberta and Kevin Halwa, Prairie Board director told the Herald over a phone interview on Wednesday that based on the survey results, the message from Albertans is clear.
The survey was conducted in June by independent research firm Pollara Strategic Insights, among 1,200 Albertans from various regions in the province.
“A question often arises about the sample size of the survey, but apparently according to those conducting the survey, a sample size of 1,200 to 1,300 people is a representative sample for the size of the province,” said Halwa.
He said the survey results are consistent with previous polls, showing how the majority of Albertans do not support a new independent police service.
The survey results include the following data:
• 84 per cent of respondents agree that there are more important priorities in Alberta right now than changing who polices local communities. 
• 87 per cent of respondents agree that before any changes to municipal policing, there needs to be detailed accounting of costs and impacts on service levels. 
• 86 per cent of respondents want to retain the RCMP, some with local improvements. 
• 77 per cent of respondents, in RCMP-served communities, are satisfied with the policing service they receive.   
• 73 per cent of respondents are satisfied with the RCMP’s response to natural disasters such as wildfires and floods. 
Halwa said the support for RCMP from Albertans has also been shown in conversations with residents at different conventions and other events.
“The public gets it, they consistently let us know how satisfied they are with the service the RCMP is providing. Our members quite often get approach by complete strangers to let them know how they appreciate what they are doing for their community,” said Halwa.
He added with parade season coming to an end, there was many instances where members of the RCMP were approached at parades across the province to thank them, or they were cheered on while passing by spectators.
“Undoubtedly every time we take part of those things we hear shouts and applause from the crowd watching us march, saying thank you for your service and we hear and appreciate every single one of those who support us,” said Halwa.
He said changing the police service is not something Albertans are interested about right now, as there are much bigger issues that need to be addressed.
“Issues that are impacting their everyday lives like affordability, those are what Albertans are more interested in addressing, not changing who polices the province,” said Halwa.
According to a press release from the NPF, with affordability being a major concern for Albertans across the province, an unwanted and likely costly new duplicative policing service appears to place narrow political interests ahead of the broader public needs.  
The release also states that these research findings come at a time when RCMP recruitment has seen a significant resurgence, with applications exceeding 17,500 for the 2023-2024 fiscal year — an 80 per cent increase compared to years previous. The RCMP’s Experienced Police Officer Program has attracted more than 600 officers. In Alberta, K Division is seeing roughly 200 applicants a month — up 52 per cent from last year.  
Survey results can be found at https://npf-fpn.com/app/uploads/securepdfs/2024/08/National-Police-Federation-Pollara-Alberta-Results-Summer-2024.pdf

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