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Photo courtesy National Police Federation Facebook
By Erika Rolling
Municipal Police Force

National Police Federation critiques potential Grande Prairie Municipal Police Force

Mar 3, 2023 | 6:00 AM

According to the National Police Federation, fewer than 1% of residents in Grande Prairie have been consulted on the potential municipal police force the provincial government is partially funding over the next two years.

Kevin Halwa, a board director of the NPF served in Grande Prairie from 1997-2001 as a Senior Constable in Charge of the Provost Section.

Halwa says were not asked the question ‘Do you want to get rid of the RCMP in exchange for a municipal police service?’

He also says the numbers of what it will cost and a detailed breakdown have not been provided.

“As a taxpayer of Grande Prairie – if I was a taxpayer… which I was at one point in my life – I would be saying well hang on a second… all fine and dandy but I’m watching things unfold in Surrey, B.C. and they’re now talking double digits tax increases to pay for a municipal police service that’s now three-and-a-half almost four years in, that’s nowhere close to being off the ground.”

Halwa says if Grande Prairie was to fall into the same situation as Surrey B.C. is in right now, it would cause him great concern.

He does note there was public consultation done, that did ask a variety of questions to those that took part. He thinks a Policing Transition Final Report done by MNP “is not fulsome in nature and a lot of questions (are) left to be asked.”

SEE MORE: City Council to decide on a Municipal Police Force March 6

If council is to vote in favour, RCMP members would not lose their jobs just their posting in Grande Prairie and be redeployed to other areas of Alberta or the country, according to Halwa.

He suspects staffing the service will be one of the challenges our city will face.

“Staffing across North America and recruiting across the world is really struggling, so to expect that there is a large pool of applicants that want to join a brand new police service… I think it’s a little bit far-fetched,” Halwa says.

He feels the decision is being rushed without really giving the people of the city a choice or voice.

SEE MORE: Alberta government is funding $9.7 million to support the proposed ‘Municipal Police Force’

“The province is only paying a portion of the estimated $19 million, but even then it’s probably horribly underestimated.”

Halwa brings the current example of Surrey trying to transition as being done wrong and becoming increasingly harmful for taxpayer’s wallets, as their estimations are well over and costs are now upwards of $100 million.

“Municipal policing is something a municipality decides, but I would highly recommend that they (council) talk to their taxpayers and determine if they are willing to take the risk of what will likely end up being much, much more money than is being predicted now.” He says it could cost Grande Prairie residents for generations if the transition is not done carefully.

I.T., I.T. infrastructure, indemnification, staffing, recruiting, and training are a few of the things Halwa believes council has not looked at enough.

A local group called, ‘Peace Country Progressive Alliance’ has drafted a letter addressing concerns over this police force, and has made it accessible to other residents to edit and change, before being sent off to City Council.

If you would like to view the letter, click here.

Grande Prairie city council will vote on whether the transition will go through on Monday, March 6.

by Erika Rolling