More officers able to respond
Members of the Sheriff Highway Patrol and Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services (FWES) have been given additional authorities to help fight rural crime.
On any given day, the Alberta Sheriffs have dozens of officers already working in rural areas. Between them, Sheriff Highway Patrol and FWES have approximately 400 officers.
Officers are now able to respond to a wider range of calls. This helps reduce the time it takes for officers to get to an emergency.
- FWES can reinforce the RCMP’s response to emergencies and high-priority calls when needed.
- Sheriff Highway Patrol can respond to a wider range of traffic calls, like impaired driving and other criminal traffic offences. This allows the RCMP to put more focus on criminal activity.
Start dates
Fish and wildlife officers began RAPID Response functions on April 1, 2021.
Sheriff Highway Patrol assumed RAPID Response duties on July 1, 2021.
RAPID Response currently covers most areas of rural Alberta policed by the RCMP. The provincial government is holding a series of meetings with First Nations and Métis leaders to determine their interest and earn their support before expanding RAPID Response to their communities.