Grande Prairie’s transition towards having its own municipal police continues, with five Grande Prairie Police Service (GPPS) members joining the Grande Prairie RCMP detachment as of end of December 2024. Four will serve as general duty police officers and one as a forensic investigator. The Alberta RCMP remains the police of jurisdiction during the transition.
“Over the past few months RCMP officers and GPPS officers have established good working relationships, because we all have the same purpose: to keep you safe,” says Inspector Mark MacDougald, Acting Detachment Commander with the Grande Prairie RCMP. “We will continue to work together to deliver high-quality policing, and ensure our transition plans move forward thoughtfully and carefully.”
“2024 marked a historic year for the Grande Prairie Police Service, and the smooth integration of GPPS members into the RCMP detachment is a testament to public safety being non-negotiable during the transition, says Grande Prairie Police Service Chief of Police Dwayne Lakusta. “Our teams will continue to collaborate as the ranks of GPPS grow in 2025 with a focus on excellent policing and effective partnerships.”
The first two GPPS members joined in July following the graduation of GPPS' first Experienced Officer Program. More experienced officers and 12 new recruits are planned to join the detachment after graduation in March 2025.
In addition to the training and assessments completed during the recruitment process, GPPS officers receive additional training to become familiar with RCMP policies and procedures to provide citizens with a consistent approach to policing.
Citizens are reminded that the process to follow during an emergency is still the same. In an emergency, call 911. If it’s not an emergency or you need to report a crime, call the RCMP detachment directly at 780-830-5700. You can also report a crime through the Alberta RCMP app.
For additional information on the Grande Prairie Transition Timeline, please visit: Transition Timeline | Grande Prairie Police Service (gppolice.com)
