Politics · Canada · 10 hrs ago
Grande Prairie police service takes over from the RCMP
The Grande Prairie Police Service has taken over policing from the RCMP in Grande Prairie, a city in northwestern Alberta.
Starting Wednesday, the RCMP stopped responding to calls within city limits.
The new service said the change was completed two years ahead of schedule.
Grande Prairie has about 71,000 residents, who should still call 911 in emergencies.
City councillors decided in 2023 not to renew the RCMP contract after a cost analysis found a municipal service would not be as expensive.
The change gives the city local oversight of its police service, with the mayor describing it as a major milestone.
The sources do not say what the service's next steps will be.
The Grande Prairie Police Service has officially taken over policing from the RCMP in the Alberta city.
The RCMP stopped responding to calls within city limits on Wednesday, October 21.
The new service said it completed the transition two years ahead of schedule.
Grande Prairie’s roughly 71,000 residents should continue to call 911 for emergencies.
City councillors voted in 2023 not to renew the RCMP contract after a cost analysis found a municipal service would not be as expensive.
Mayor Jackie Clayton described the change as a significant milestone involving local oversight and community partnerships.
- Who
- The Grande Prairie Police Service took over from the RCMP.
- What
- The municipal service became Grande Prairie’s official police force.
- When
- The transition took effect Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
- Where
- Grande Prairie, a city in northwestern Alberta.
- Why
- City councillors voted in 2023 not to renew the RCMP contract after a cost analysis found a municipal police service would not be as expensive.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Grande Prairie councillors voted not to renew the city’s contract with the RCMP after a cost analysis.
The Grande Prairie Police Service took over, and the RCMP stopped responding to calls within city limits.
- City
- Grande Prairie, northwestern Alberta
- New police service
- Grande Prairie Police Service
- Residents
- Roughly 71,000
- Transition timing
- Two years ahead of schedule
- Contract decision
- Councillors voted not to renew the RCMP contract in 2023
3 sources
What people are saying
This transition reflects years of planning, collaboration, and commitment from many people and organizations
We are proud to welcome the Grande Prairie Police Service as our police service, marking a new chapter in public safety built on local oversight, strong community partnerships, and a shared commitment to keeping Grande Prairie safe.