The Government of Alberta has created two Sheriff teams to support surveillance in rural areas
As part of the $4.3 million investment to Alberta Sheriffs in Budget 2024-25, the Government of Alberta has created two “plainclothes” sheriff teams to support surveillance on criminal targets in rural areas. The teams are now fully staffed and operational, and split up between northern and southern Alberta.
These teams will work to prevent crime, monitor agricultural theft, and work in collaboration with local law enforcement to share intelligence and resources to keep Albertans and their property safe and secure.
The Alberta Sheriffs have an existing surveillance unit that is focused mainly on serious and organized crime, which is part of the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT).The new surveillance team is intended to fill a gap by helping rural RCMP detachments with local investigations. It is currently unknown how the surveillance teams will work with ALERT or local RCMP detachments. The RMA has reached out to Alberta Public Safety and Emergency Services for clarity on how the teams will interact with existing law enforcement.
Kallie Wischoff
Policy Advisor
855.319.2245
kallie@RMAlberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
General Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com