Every resident deserves to feel safe at home and in their community. National Police Week is recognized from May 10-16 under the theme Committed to Serve Together. Budget 2026 includes investments and initiatives to support the work between the police and the organizations and people in the communities they serve, which form the cornerstone of effective crime prevention and public safety initiatives.
To enhance policing in the province, over the next two years we are hiring 46 new officers, 21 at the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) and 25 at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), at an annualized cost of $9 million.
Additionally, a Special Constable Pilot Program will begin, which is a public safety initiative aimed at modernizing policing in Newfoundland and Labrador by making the best use of policing resources. Special Constables will be assigned low risk and less complex duties. This will allow frontline officers to better use their full range of expertise.
Duties may include non-core police functions such as supervising detained individuals, guarding crime scenes, traffic control, and assisting with administrative duties. Several police services in Canada have Special Constables who work alongside police officers. Budget 2026 includes an investment of $500,000 to begin the project with an investment of $1.4 million annually going forward. This new pilot was developed in response to the feedback received through consultations held by the Policing Transformation Working Group.
Special Constables will undergo a comprehensive 10-week training program, including six weeks of in-class training delivered by the Atlantic Police Academy (APA), followed by four weeks of on-the-job training with the RNC. After training has commenced, Special Constables will be assigned to one of four platoons in the Northeast Avalon region. Recruitment will begin in Winter 2027 and training is anticipated to be delivered in Summer 2027.
The Provincial Government is also investing $50,000 annually to support the RCMP Auxiliary Program. The program is valuable and brings direct benefits to communities, especially those in rural and remote parts of the province. RCMP auxiliaries are uniformed volunteers whose primary purpose is to participate in community policing services such as community engagement, crime prevention and public safety initiatives.
The individuals who serve as auxiliaries provide countless hours of dedicated service to their communities. They are a vital part of the RCMP’s focus on community policing and crime prevention. The funding supports up to 25 auxiliary volunteers.
Making certain every community in Newfoundland and Labrador feels safe and secure is a priority for your government. Through investments in law enforcement, Budget 2026 is an important step towards delivering on our promise to prioritize public safety for all of us.
Quotes
“National Police Week is a time to celebrate policing in our province and the hard work and dedication of those who serve to protect us. Our government recognized the need for investments to ensure safer communities, which is why Budget 2026 includes decisive action to ensure that every community feels more secure. Through investments in law enforcement, we will deliver on our promise to prioritize public safety for all of us.”
Honourable Helen Conway Ottenheimer
Minister of Justice and Public Safety
“Our communities are changing and the RNC is changing too. We continue to recruit more officers and are working to increase efficiencies through the use of technology and specialized units. Introducing Special Constables demonstrates our willingness to adapt to meet the needs and expectations of residents. I am eternally grateful for the selflessness and resiliency of our uniformed officers. Together with the support of our civilian team we are working to increase community safety in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Patrick R. Roche, Chief
Royal Newfoundland and Labrador Constabulary
“Investments in policing are investments in the safety and wellbeing of our communities, and in solutions that address the concerns of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. As we celebrate National Police Week, we are encouraged by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s commitment to fund an additional 25 Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers for our province. We also welcome funding for our Auxiliary Program, a program that benefits education, crime prevention and public safety across our province. We look forward to welcoming our new officers, and will continue to work with our partners at the Department of Justice and Public Safety and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary on shared priorities and initiatives that support safer communities for all.”
Pat Cahill, Assistant Commissioner and Commanding Officer
Royal Canadian Mounted Police of Newfoundland and Labrador
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