Recreation, Culture & Social Support Services
RCMP
Welcome to the Wood Buffalo RCMP Detachment
Wood Buffalo's RCMP team is the largest in Alberta with over 150 regular members. The Municipality also has several bylaw officers who ensure bylaws are enforced. They work very closely with RCMP officers with respect to police functions. This partnership contributes to the efficiency of law enforcement in the region.
The RCMP and Bylaw officers are dedicated, caring officers who are heavily involved with many community activities, such as D.A.R.E., Block Parents, Crime Stoppers, Youth Justice Committee, Victim Services, Community Advisory Committee, Auxiliary Policing, Search and Rescue, Anti-Vandalism Committee, and School Officer Resource Program—to name just a few.
The Fort McMurray Detachment was opened in 1913 as part of N Division, Athabasca Landing. In 1916, the detachment was transferred to G Division, Edmonton. During the 1920’s Fort McMurray was part of the Great Slave Lake sub-district for the Alberta Provincial Police. The Fort McMurray Detachment re-opened in 1932 when the RCMP once again assumed policing responsibilities for the Province.
The Fort McMurray and Fort Chipewyan Detachments were amalgamated in the summer of 2003 and they now form the Wood Buffalo Detachment. The detachment provides policing services to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) and tp Wood Buffalo National Park, making it one of the largest geographical policing jurisdictions in Canada, providing federal, provincial and municipal law enforcement.
In January of 2009, thanks to the support and dedication of our Mayor and Council, we moved from our downtown offices to our new building in Timberlea. The new Police Headquarters is a state of the art, LEEDS award-winning building, featuring a forensic lab and a fully equipped gym, as well as many other advantages. As of September 2009, Wood Buffalo Detachment is home to 186 regular members and 83 municipal employees, who provide customer service and support to our members and the detachment.
The Wood Buffalo Detachment is comprised of five main departments:
- Community Policing / Victim Services
- Plain Clothes Section
- Serious Persons Crime Unit
- Domestic Violence Abuse Team
- Three Crime Reduction Teams
- Drug Unit - Police Dog Services
- Forensic Identification Services
- Traffic Enforcement
We operate an integrated detachment that works side by side with our 35 Community Peace Officers (previously known as Bylaw Enforcement Officers). Our additional partners in keeping our community safe are the Alberta Provincial Sheriffs, Oil Sands Security Professionals, Fish and Wildlife, Emergency Services, and Search and Rescue.
Wood Buffalo offers a multitude of opportunities for all who venture here. From exposure to various aspects of police work, to an off-duty paradise for the outdoorsman, you will find it an exciting place to live, work and grow.
Community Policing News
To read latest news, visit the Community Policing News.
Superintendent Kirke Hopkins
Officer in Charge
Wood Buffalo RCMP Detachment
105 Paquette Drive
Fort McMurray, AB T9K 0P5
