Unions caught off guard by Albertas move to create independent police force [Video]

The union representing Alberta’s sheriffs says it was not consulted about a plan announced this week to have a new police service handle much of the work they currently do.

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees says it was surprised by a bill the United Conservative government introduced Wednesday to create an independent police force.

“Sheriffs want to know that their rights will be protected and that they will be properly supported in their duties,” Bobby-Joe Borodey, the union’s vice-president, said in a news release Thursday.

“All of our law-enforcement members are passionate about their work and keeping Albertans safe. They deserve to be treated with respect, and that means they need to be given reassurances.”

Borodey said that includes knowing whether their duties will change, if they’ll be paid appropriately and how much more training they would need.

Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis told a news conference Wednesday that the new police force would work alongside existing …