L-R: Grande Prairie-Wapiti MLA Ron Wiebe, Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton, Grande Prairie Police Service Chief Dwyane Lakusta, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis, Grande Prairie MLA Nolan Dyck. Photo courtesy Erika Rolling/Everything GP.

By Erika Rolling

Provincial Funding

$7 million more from province to GPPS

May 27, 2025 | 12:12 PM

The Government of Alberta says they are giving an additional $7 million to help Grande Prairie transition to the new municipal police force.

Back in 2023, the province funded the new police service with $9.7 million over two years to get established after council decided to transition away from the RCMP.

Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis says the additional $7 million will be used for a start-up costs like; the building, implementation, salary, benefits, recruitment, equipment, training, and more.

“By removing some of the financial pressure, we’re helping to ensure that the Grande Prairie Police Service is well positioned to succeed as the primary police of jurisdiction for this city in 2026.”

Ellis says the GPPS will provide a more “sustainable and consistent service.”

“This includes better oversight and ultimately cheaper, with more officers to police the community.”

So far, the police service has 50 officers hired. The goal is to have 110 by the time the force fully takes over jurisdiction in the Fall of 2026.

Police Chief Dwayne Lauksta says they are delivering on the community-led and focused policing vision Minister Ellis spoke of two years ago when initial funding was first announced.

“The transition has been complex and demanding, yet through careful planning, collaboration, and dedication… we’ve designed and implemented a localized police training program conducted entirely with our partner facilities here in the city.”

Lakusta notes they currently are training their second intake of new recruits and fourth class of experienced officers.

The police chief also says the community standards unit is making waves in addressing social disorder.

“It’s encouraging to hear directly from residents and businesses alike, they’re happy with our increased presence and the impact that we’re having on community safety.”

The projected cost of establishing the police service is $19 million, and the annual operating budget of the GPPS is projected to be less than the policing contracts with the RCMP according to Minister Ellis;

“What we are going to be providing is a more enhanced level of service for Grande Prairie. By having a much stronger deployment model that fits the unique needs of this city, not a cookie cutter approach that’s made for every community across this country.” -Minister Ellis

The City of Grande Prairie will absorb all costs associated with the GPPS once the provincial funding agreement ends.