Policing Shift

Municipal Affairs
Jul 18
2 min read

Welcome to Municipal Affairs.

In this episode, a major step forward in Alberta’s policing landscape — the appointment of a new Chief for the Independent Agency Police Service. It's the latest move to give municipalities more options when it comes to local policing, while also supporting public safety efforts across the province.

(Speech from Smith)

The new Chief, Dale Parhar, brings over 25 years of policing experience to the role, including senior leadership positions with the Calgary Police Service. Most recently, he served as Deputy Chief — an experience that puts him in a strong position to guide the new agency as it begins its work.

Once fully operational, the Independent Agency Police Service — or IAPS — will enhance Alberta’s existing policing framework. It won’t replace the RCMP or municipal forces, but rather, it will fill in the gaps, particularly in rural areas where faster response times are critical.

(Speech from Parhar)

The IAPS was officially established following the passage of the Public Safety Statutes Amendment Act, 2024. Operating as an independent Crown corporation, it will be renamed the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service, with its head office located in Calgary. It will function with civilian oversight and full operational independence from the provincial government — in line with other police services in the province.

(Interview with Van Rijn)

One municipality already moving through the transition from RCMP service to its own municipal police force is Grande Prairie. Mayor Jackie Clayton was present for the Chief’s appointment and shared more about what this transition means for her community.

(Interview with Clayton)

To get a broader municipal perspective on the announcement, we reached out to Rural Municipalities of Alberta President Kara Westerlund for her reaction.

(Interview with Westerlund)

And finally, we spoke with Alberta Municipalities President Tyler Gandam, who offered his insights into what this new agency means for urban centres across the province.

(Interview with Gandam)

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