The Grande Prairie RCMP has been joined by six new Grande Prairie Police Service (GPPS) constables and three more experienced officers. The new officers join the detachment following graduation from their training program in late February, where they will commence an on-the-job field coaching program delivered by experienced GPPS officers. This brings the total complement of GPPS officers assigned to the detachment to 13.
Additionally, six other GPPS graduates have been assigned to the local Community Standards Unit (CSU). CSU is a GPPS and Grande Prairie Enforcement Services (GPES) led program, and this group of graduates will be active in Grande Prairie’s downtown to monitor disorder and provide community policing services. Although these graduates will be limited in their roles and responsibilities by strict policy until their training is complete, they will reinforce public safety with a law enforcement presence in the core.
“We look forward to having these new officers, both in a policing capacity at the detachment and a provincial and municipal enforcement capacity in the downtown core, to enhance our service to the people of Grande Prairie,” says Superintendent Steve McLeod, Officer-in-Charge, Grande Prairie RCMP. “No matter the uniform, we are all dedicated to keeping people safe, so integrating these officers where they will have the most impact helps us ensure the transition progresses responsibly and without impacting public safety.”
“This latest milestone demonstrates our commitment to a smooth and successful policing transition through our partnership with the RCMP,” says Chief Dwayne Lakusta, Grande Prairie Police Service. “The establishment of the Community Standards Unit underscores our ongoing dedication to working closely with residents and downtown businesses, enhancing their quality of life through increased visibility and greater community engagement.”
To ensure citizens receive a consistent approach to policing during the transition, all new GPPS officers assigned to the RCMP detachment, in addition to their core police training, received extra training to become familiar with RCMP policies and procedures.
Citizens are reminded that, since the Grande Prairie RCMP remains the police of jurisdiction during the transition period, the process to follow during an emergency is still the same.
“If you’re experiencing an emergency, you still call 911. If it’s not an emergency or you need to report a crime, you still call the RCMP detachment directly,” says McLeod.
For additional information on the Grande Prairie Transition Timeline, please visit: Transition Timeline | Grande Prairie Police Service (gppolice.com)
