The Alberta RCMP launches Call Back Unit

February 16, 2018
Edmonton, Alberta

News release

The Alberta RCMP is renewing the way it receives, dispatches, investigates and documents calls for service from Albertans. A new specialized "K" Division Call Back Unit has been implemented to more efficiently serve the citizens of Alberta.

In 2017, the Alberta RCMP Operational Communication Centres (OCC) received almost 700,000 complaints and 911 calls. Approximately 395,000 of those calls generated files that were dispatched to detachments around the province. A significant number of those calls are non-emergency and do not require a police officer to attend. These types of calls are still important, but how the police are managing them will be changing.

The Alberta RCMP has created the Call Back Unit to handle non-emergency calls for service. These calls where there is no risk to public safety and no time sensitivity to the investigation do not require police attendance, but they do require police response. When a calls comes in to our OCCs, operators follow clear guidelines based on pre-established criteria to determine when a call should be dispatched to the detachments or to the Call Back Unit. The unit is staffed with experienced police officers who will follow up with the complainant the next business day and document the file in the RCMP records management system.

Sgt. Barry LaRocque who is leading the Call Management Strategy Project stresses the role of the Call Back Unit in improving efficient handling of calls for service. "The Call Back Unit will take some workload off of our front line members and allow them to focus on proactive patrols and engage more significantly in crime reduction initiatives to target the individuals hurting our communities."

The Call Back Unit, located in Edmonton, began on Feb. 15, 2018 as a pilot project in eight detachments from around Alberta. As the capacity to handle non-emergency calls increase more detachments will be added to the list.

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Contact information

Strategic Communications Unit
780-509-3970

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