The Alberta Sheriffs Police Service will be headquartered in Calgary and overseen by newly appointed Chief Sat Prahar.
On May 15, 2025, the Government of Alberta passed Bill 49: Public Safety and Emergency Services Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, which allows the Government of Alberta to take significant steps to move forward with the creation of an independent agency police service (IAPS). The IAPS has now been formally established through regulation and is now called the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service.
The IAPS Oversight Board was created to establish an oversight framework, develop guidelines and policies, and give input on recruitment. The Oversight Board has appointed Sat Prahar as the Chief of the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service.
Unfortunately, the Government of Alberta has yet to engage municipalities on how this new policing service may be a solution to addressing policing challenges. Furthermore, RMA was unaware that the IAPS had formed an oversight board, which appears to have also been created without public input.
The Government of Alberta maintains that the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service is not meant to replace the RCMP, but is intended to work alongside other law enforcement agencies to fill gaps. Municipalities will have the option of receiving policing services directly from this new agency instead of through the RCMP or other means currently outlined in the Police Act. There is still little clarity currently available on the logistics of these changes.
RMA has created a resource to help members better understand Bill 49 changes and advocate for answers to pertinent questions that will affect communities. RMA is committed to keeping members informed on any updates made regarding this issue.
Kallie Wischoff
Policy Advisor
825.319.2245
kallie@rmalberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
General Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@rmalberta.com