News release

Alberta and Saskatchewan RCMP’s Operational Communications Centres collaborate to create regional approach to public safety

April 16, 2025 - Edmonton, Alberta
From: Alberta RCMP

Content

Operational Communications Centres (OCC) are the first point of contact for the public when seeking assistance from the police, in both emergencies and non-emergencies. Operators receive calls, enter information in computer systems, and assess which services are required. Dispatchers then send the information to officers, who can respond as needed to each call. OCC operators work day and night, 365 days a year. They are essential for ensuring public safety. 

Since the spring of 2023, Alberta and Saskatchewan’s OCCs have been working together to address the challenges of getting enough operators trained to meet the needs of each province, and having enough operators successfully complete the training with the limited resources each program was facing. These challenges were highlighted during the 2022 James Smith Cree Nation tragedy, when there was no way for Alberta’s OCC to assist Saskatchewan’s OCC without physically placing someone on a plane to travel to Regina in person. During times of crisis, having enough operators is essential, and being able to mobilize quickly is a top priority. 

At the time, both Operational Communication Centres were using the same Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) software, but a different phone system. Together, each province’s OCC decided to work with their Informatics Technicians to evaluate the possibility of leveraging available technology to assist each other in the event of a mass casualty incident, natural disaster, significant criminal event that generates a large number of tips, or any unplanned closure of one of the centres. 

Both programs were able to secure the same phone systems, as well as align their radio systems. As of April 2025, both provinces are now able to log into the other’s systems to assist as needed. This integration is one of a kind for the RCMP and creates an alignment of business practices that results in a regional approach to public safety. 

The integration of Alberta and Saskatchewan’s OCCs does not stop with the alignment of their software and phones. Each program is now sharing joint training opportunities, by having operators travel back and forth to work with each other, to create a culture of support and collaboration between the two provinces. 

“The interoperability between Alberta and Saskatchewan’s OCCs means we can rely on each other during critical moments and times of crisis,” says Chris Spence, Alberta RCMP’s OCC Program Director. “Instead of taking six to eight hours to get someone to the other province to assist, we can assist in a matter of minutes.” This is one of the benefits of having a municipal, provincial, and federal police force. The Alberta RCMP can draw on resources, supports, and expertise from not only Saskatchewan, but from across the country, to keep Albertans safe. 

“Our commitment to public safety means we are thinking about – and prepared for – the ‘what-ifs’. The interoperability between Alberta and Saskatchewan RCMP OCCs means we are more ready than ever to answer calls for help – even in extraordinary circumstances, like during the tragedy on James Smith Cree Nation and in Weldon, when we received about 2000 more calls than would be typical in the first 24 hours alone,” says Jocelyn James, manager of Saskatchewan RCMP’s OCC. “Thanks to our partnership with Alberta RCMP, we can almost instantaneously help one another out in the moments that matter most.”

An influx of candidates is now applying to work for the Alberta RCMP’s OCCs. Starting in 2022, the Alberta RCMP Headquarters’ OCC underwent a $900,000 renovation and the Southern Alberta OCC in Red Deer underwent a $750,000 renovation, both of which improved employee wellbeing as well as operations. New flooring, paint, and ergonomic workstations create an accommodating environment for taking calls, allowing operators to deliver the best service possible. 

Further augmenting the efficiency of the OCC, the Alberta RCMP is rolling out 310-RCMP(7267)—a new line Albertans can call to report non-emergencies. Examples of non-emergencies include minor motor vehicle collisions, break and enters that have already taken place, scams in which money or personal information was not provided, lost property, property damage under $5,000, and theft under $5,000. By redirecting calls to this new non-emergency line, OCC operators can prioritize emergency calls made through 911. In addition to 310-RCMP, the public can also use the online crime reporting tool found via the Alberta RCMP app or at rcmp-grc.gc.ca. 
 

Contacts

Alberta RCMP Media Relations
780-509-3970