The Town of Rocky Mountain House recently contracted WMC (Western Management Consultants) to explore options for providing policing services in our community. The objectives of the study were to:
- Explore the existing model of using the RCMP as the Town’s municipal police force;
- Explore innovative, promising, or proven policing models and public safety practices;
- Hear citizens opinions about crime and victimization; and
- Provide policing options to address public safety concerns/measures.
Town residents were asked to have their say. The goal of the study's public engagement opportunities was to help understand how residents experience policing in the community and what matters to them in keeping the community safe.
- A Police Services Survey was open to the public from April 22, 2025 to May 6, 2025. A total of 359 survey responses were received.
- Interviews with relevant parties were conducted.
- WMC hosted public forums on June 19, 2025 at the Rocky Regional Recreation Centre (Subway Room) to share the survey data, introduce its five proposed policing models and gather additional community input.
WMC attended Council's August 5, 2025 Regular Council Meeting to present the Municipal Police Model Study 2025 final report. Following the presentation, Council resolved to accept the Municipal Police Model Study 2025 as information and bring the report to Service Level for further discussion.
Town Council will decide the best path forward for the Town based on the study, its recommendations, and public feedback. This important work will take some time to understand, digest and consider all options. Council will be deliberate about its discussions and transparent in its decision-making process.
Learn more:
How is policing currently provided in the Town of Rocky Mountain House?
Under the Police Act, every urban Alberta municipality over 5,000 people must provide its own police service. This can be achieved by either establishing a municipal police force, contracting with another municipal police service, or contracting the RCMP. The Town of Rocky Mountain House meets this requirement by contracting the RCMP through a Municipal Police Service Agreement (MPSA) with the Government of Canada.
How much does our police service cost?
The Municipal Police Service Agreement (MPSA) contract costs the Town $2.4 million per year.
Why is the Town conducting a police model study?
The Town of Rocky Mountain House appreciates the hard work of the local detachment leadership, members and support staff.
The Rocky Mountain House RCMP detachment operates as a post model detachment. This means municipal, provincial and federally assigned officers work from the same building.
To assist the detachment in operational demands and effectiveness, the Town does not require the municipal members be solely dedicated to the Town. If required, they respond to calls out in the broader region and nearby First Nation communities.
However the Town is sometimes left without police services when the municipal positions are called to respond elsewhere.
What does the study hope to accomplish?
The objective of the study is to:
- Explore the existing model of contracting the RCMP as the Town’s municipal police force.
- Explore and/or incorporate innovative, promising, or proven policing models and public safety practices.
- Consider community engagement focused on understanding the concerns of crime and victimization to create public safety measures and a police model that addresses those concerns.
- Provide the community with policing options that directly address public safety concerns/measures.
What will the study entail?
The study will consider at least four possible policing models:
- The current model contracting the RCMP.
- The creation of a Rocky Mountain House Municipal Police Force.
- Contracting another municipal police force.
- Explore contracting Alberta Sheriffs to serve as the municipal police force.
How much will the study cost?
The Town has up to $90,000 set aside for this endeavor.
How will the study be paid for?
The Town of Rocky Mountain House has been awarded $60,000 from the Alberta Indigenous/Municipal Police Transition Study Grant program. Council approved a further $30,000 towards the study as part of its 2025 budget.
How can residents provide input?
The consultant is required to engage with specific stakeholders, as well as ratepayers.
As part of the public engagement phase, WMC conducted a survey to understand how you experience policing in our community, and what matters to you in keeping the community safe. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback to date.
This survey had two key outcomes:
- to understand your sense of safety within the community
- to determine your perception of the value received from the money invested in policing services
The survey closed on May 6, and its results will be shared with the community on June 19.
These opportunities have been advertised via the Town website, social media channels, utility newsletters and local media.
Public concerns and questions raised in these meetings will be addressed in the final report.
Will the final report be made public?
Yes.
WMC attended Council's August 5, 2025 Regular Council Meeting to present the Municipal Police Model Study 2025 final report. You can view it in its entirety at the following link:
Municipal Police Model Study 2025
The hear the Consultant's presentation to Council and Council's subsequent discussion, view the August 5, 2025 Regular Council Meeting recording on YouTube.
Following the presentation, Council resolved to accept the Municipal Police Model Study 2025 as information and bring the report to Service Level for further discussion.
How long will the study take?
Approximately 10 months.
What will happen after that?
WMC attended Council's August 5, 2025 Regular Council Meeting to present the Municipal Police Model Study 2025 final report. You can view it in its entirety at the following link:
Municipal Police Model Study 2025
The hear the Consultant's presentation to Council and Council's subsequent discussion, view the August 5, 2025 Regular Council Meeting recording on YouTube.
Following the presentation, Council resolved to accept the Municipal Police Model Study 2025 as information and bring the report to Service Level for further discussion. (This will take place after the upcoming General Municipal Election on Oct. 20, 2025.)
I have more questions. How can I get in touch?
Call the Town Office during regular business hours at 403-845-2866. The Town Office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
