Airdrie officials are working to clarify the province's new regulations regarding municipal policing commissions, set to come into force on March 1, 2025.
In an emailed statement to DiscoverAirdrie, city officials noted that the topic was planned to be discussed with the Deputy Premier during their meeting yesterday at ABMunis. They added that they plan to collaborate with the government on the next steps for Airdrie.
Earlier this week, the government announced that the Police Amendment Act 2022, signed into law in December 2022, and regulations from the Public Safety Statutes Amendment Act 2024 will come into effect in spring 2025.
According to the province, this legislation mandates civilian governance bodies in RCMP-policed municipalities to give communities a more significant role in setting policing priorities.
Under the new rules, municipalities with populations over 15,000 will establish municipal policing committees to work with local officials and RCMP detachments on community-specific safety plans.
Regional policing committees will represent communities with populations between 5,000 and 15,000, while a new Provincial Police Advisory Board will serve those with fewer than 5,000 residents. These civilian bodies aim to ensure that local concerns are reflected in RCMP services, focusing on improving public safety.
Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis emphasized the importance of these governance bodies in holding officers accountable and aligning police services with each community's unique needs.
Tyler Gandam, president of Alberta Municipalities, welcomed the initiative, stating that more robust connections between the RCMP and communities will lead to better public safety across Alberta.
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