Accordingly the Alberta Provincial Police force was created and accepted its duties on March 1, 1917. This area obviously would be serviced by the A.P.P. in matters relating to provincial statutes, as was the entire province, until 1932. The organization was to be that of a rural police force modelled after the federal force that preceded it. The effectiv ness of the A.P.P. was enhanced by the fact that many of its members were former N.W.M.P.
There seems to be very little information relating to law enforcement as it was carried out by the A.P.P. Any references largely relate to discipline within the police force and one can conservatively assess rules to have been strict an closely adhered to by all superior personnel. The following are examples.
In 1920 a constable found to be intoxicated and improperly dressed was fined $50 and dismissed from the force.
A corporal who indiscretely called a sergeant, "You dirty sod" was fined $5.
A circular in 1919 from a superintendent noted that men in uniform were in the habit of smoking on the street. An order was issued instructing the men to desist from this habit
The following sad, brief statement speaks volumes - "The undermentioned constable having met his death by being shot during the execution of his duty on Sept.21, 1922, is hereby struck off strength."
Meals for prisoners were approved at 25 cents and up to 40 cents each in 1918.
Subsistence for personnel while travelling was granted at $4 per day.
A resident of Elk Point received two months at hard labor for a theft under $10 in 1929.
Annual pay allowances in 1929:
3rd class Constables $1200
Sergeants $1800
Commissioner $5000
After twenty years Alberta Provincial Police could retire on half pay. However, it will be noted that this arm of law enforcement did not remain in existence for twenty years.
The A.P.P. came into being because of external factors; it was disbanded because of external pressures. In the late twenties and early thirties the worsening economic situation caused the provincial government to look at ways of reducing costs, and at the same time the R.C.M.P. was looking with favor at an expanding role. Accordingly, contracts were offered to the province which again assured a considerable saving in policing costs; the proposal included an offer to accept all qualified A.P.P. personnel into the R.C.M.P. in a roughly equivalent rank. On April 1,1932, the A.P.P. ceased to exist as a force.
