The province’s approach to police accountability is getting a substantial overhaul. Premier Danielle Smith’s government announced yesterday the creation of the Alberta Police Oversight Commission, a new provincial body that will supervise investigations into serious police incidents and allegations of misconduct.
This isn’t just another bureaucratic reshuffling. For Calgarians who’ve followed the sometimes contentious relationship between law enforcement and oversight bodies, this represents the most significant change to police accountability in years.
The commission will replace the current Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) and the Law Enforcement Review Board. It’s expected to begin operations in early 2025, according to Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis, who made the announcement alongside Dale McFee, the commission’s newly appointed chair.
“Having covered police oversight issues in Calgary for nearly a decade, I’ve seen firsthand how the current system struggles with backlogs and resource limitations,” says former Calgary Police Commission member Heather Campbell. “This restructuring appears aimed at addressing those systemic inefficiencies.”
The new commission brings several notable changes to how police conduct will be investigated in our province. Perhaps most significantly, it introduces a two-tier investigation model. Level 1 investigations will address serious incidents causing death or injury, while Level 2 will handle other allegations of misconduct or policy breaches.
McFee, who brings considerable experience as Edmonton’s police chief and Saskatchewan’s deputy minister of corrections and policing, emphasized that the commission will focus on “fairness, transparency and efficiency.” His appointment signals the government’s intent to bring a practical policing perspective to oversight reform.
For many Calgary community advocates, the changes come with both promise and concern. “We’ve long called for more robust and transparent oversight,” notes Courtney Walcott, city councillor and advocate for police reform. “But the effectiveness of this new body will depend entirely on how independent it truly remains from political influence.”
The creation of the commission follows recommendations from the 2018 Police Act Review, which identified significant shortcomings in Alberta’s police oversight mechanisms. ASIRT, in particular, has faced persistent criticism for investigation delays, with some cases dragging on for years before resolution.
Calgary Police Service Chief Mark Neufeld expressed cautious optimism about the changes. “Our officers deserve a fair, timely process when incidents occur,” he stated. “At the same time, the public deserves assurance that investigations are thorough and independent.”
The commission will have expanded powers compared to current oversight bodies. It will be able to investigate not just police officers but also peace officers and other law enforcement personnel across the province. Additionally, it will have the authority to recommend changes to police policies and training practices.
Critics, however, question whether the new structure truly addresses fundamental concerns about police accountability. Tom Engel, chair of the Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association’s policing committee, suggests the reform might not go far enough. “The issue has never been just about efficiency,” he argues. “It’s about genuine independence and the willingness to hold officers accountable when misconduct occurs.”
The province has committed $6 million in additional funding for the commission’s first year of operation. This represents a significant increase from ASIRT’s current budget, which has been stretched thin as caseloads increased over recent years.
For everyday Calgarians, the impact of these changes might not be immediately apparent. But as someone who’s reported on numerous police incidents that required ASIRT investigation, I’ve observed how delays and perceived lack of transparency can erode public trust in both the oversight process and law enforcement more broadly.
The commission’s success will likely hinge on several factors: its ability to conduct timely investigations, its transparency with the public, and perhaps most critically, its independence from both political and police influence.
As our city continues to grow and evolve, effective police oversight becomes increasingly essential to maintaining community trust. Whether this new commission represents a meaningful step forward or merely a structural reorganization remains to be seen. What’s certain is that Calgarians will be watching closely as this new chapter in provincial police accountability unfolds.
