Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services. (Government of Alberta YouTube)

By The Canadian Press

Provincial Politics

Alberta’s revamped police watchdog organization begins operation

Dec 1, 2025 | 1:47 PM

Alberta’s Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis says a new streamlined commission will give citizens a fair and transparent process for complaints about police.

Ellis says the Police Review Commission is now operational.

The commission will receive complaints, conduct investigations and oversee disciplinary hearings previously handled by a patchwork of agencies and police forces.

Ellis says a single body improves transparency, accountability and consistency of decisions.

Complaints will be assessed on three levels, from non-criminal misconduct to serious cases involving deaths.

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Ellis says former police officers are with the commission, able to provide critical on-the-job detail on how investigations are conducted.

“You have to bring in somebody who has experience,” Ellis told a news conference Monday.

“Just understand that that particular body will be independent from the policing organizations.”

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Medicine Hat Police Chief Alan Murphy is also the president of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police. File Photo/CHAT News

Medicine Hat Police Chief Alan Murphy is also the president of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police.

“The Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police welcomes the launch of the Police Review Commission as a meaningful step toward enhanced oversight and greater transparency in policing,” Murphy said.

“By ensuring complaints are reviewed fairly and impartially, the Commission will help strengthen accountability and reinforce public trust in Alberta’s police agencies,” he added.

“Police leaders across the province are committed to working with the Commission and our communities to ensure every Albertan has confidence in the integrity of our police services.”

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 1, 2025.

– With files from Jesse Gill