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Part of New and proposed legislation

Building a modern police service

The Public Safety and Emergency Services Statutes Amendment Act, 2026 (Bill 15) enables the Alberta Sheriffs to transfer to the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service.

Status: The Public Safety and Emergency Services Statutes Amendment Act, 2026 (Bill 15) received Royal Ascent on April 16, 2026.
Ministry responsible: Public Safety and Emergency Services

Overview

The Public Safety and Emergency Services Statutes Amendment Act, 2026 (Bill 15), enables the Alberta Sheriffs to transition to the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service (ASPS) without disrupting law enforcement operations. The legislation supports recruitment by creating a pathway for eligible sheriff peace officers who currently perform police-like duties to pursue a career as ASPS police officers, subject to training and qualification requirements.

The transfer to the ASPS will include all Alberta Sheriffs staff, including peace officer, civilian and management positions.

Sheriffs will continue in their existing peace officer roles within the new agency to maintain full operational coverage across Alberta during the transition.

Over time, the ASPS could take on expanded responsibilities in municipalities that choose ASPS policing services.

Key changes

The Public Safety and Emergency Services Statutes Amendment Act, 2026 amended the following legislation:

  • Police Act

    The Act enables the transition of unionized and non-unionized Alberta Sheriffs employees to the ASPS, which:

    • ensures uninterrupted law enforcement operations throughout the transition
    • supports the ASPS as it builds operational capacity and begins recruiting and training police officers to meet future policing needs

  • Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act (SCAN Act)

    The Act allows the Director of Law Enforcement to delegate the SCAN Act's powers and functions to the ASPS. This ensures specialized sheriff units can continue performing duties under the SCAN Act without interruption as part of the ASPS.

Background

The ASPS was formally established as a Crown corporation in July 2025, with Sat Parhar appointed as its first Chief of Police.

Legislation passed in fall 2025 ensures that ASPS police officers:

  • will have the opportunity to form their own police association to negotiate future collective bargaining agreements.
  • must be represented by police associations, rather than trade unions, if they choose to bargain collectively
  • must access binding arbitration to resolve disputes, rather than striking or being locked out

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