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2mo ago

Alberta Tables Bill 15 to Launch Alberta Sheriffs Police Service

The plan fast-tracks eligible sheriffs into sworn roles to expand frontline capacity.

Provincial Sheriffs block vehicle access to the Alberta Legislature grounds at 107 Street and 99 Avenue, in Edmonton Saturday Oct. 23, 2021.
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis speaks about Bill 15, Public Safety and Emergency Services Statutes Amendment Act, during a press conference at the Alberta Legislature, in Edmonton Feb. 24, 2026.
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Overview

  • Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis introduced Bill 15 to transition the Alberta Sheriffs into the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service.
  • About 1,200 sheriff, civilian, and management staff would transfer to the new service, which would operate as an independent Crown corporation.
  • Officials say roughly half of current sheriffs perform police-like duties and could become officers after about six weeks of training, potentially adding at least 600 officers.
  • Proposed amendments would authorize ASPS officers to enforce the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act provincewide.
  • The government set no firm transition timeline and says cost details, including acknowledged increases, will be outlined in the upcoming provincial budget, with employment terms maintained during the shift.