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Rural policing: Fish and wildlife officers to help with RCMP calls in Alberta

As part of the provincial government’s new Rural Provincial Integrated Defence Response initiative, fish and wildlife officers are now available to help the RCMP answer emergency and high-priority calls when requested.
Red Deer Advocate Staff
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RCMP Const. Nick Wyczynski of the RCMP’s Airdrie integrated rural detachment with fish and wildlife officer Matt Michaud. (Photo courtesy of Government of Alberta)

As part of the provincial government’s new Rural Provincial Integrated Defence Response initiative, fish and wildlife officers are now available to help the RCMP answer emergency and high-priority calls when requested.

RAPID Response launched Thursday, putting 140 more peace officers in the field to protect rural Albertans.

“Rural Albertans told us loud and clear that it can take too long for help to arrive in their communities,” said Kaycee Madu, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General.

“With RAPID Response, highly trained and professional peace officers will work across rural Alberta to answer the call when police need help to save precious minutes in an emergency.”

Under the new initiative, fish and wildlife officers are able to respond to requests from the RCMP to be first at the scene of an emergency in cases where they are closer than the police.

Fish and wildlife officers will also respond to RCMP requests for backup, which could involve helping the police locate suspects or preserve a crime scene.

Government officials also indicated that members of the Sheriff Highway Patrol will also be added to the initiative later this year, with approximately 260 traffic sheriffs being trained to investigate a wider range of calls.