Calgary Police Commission

"To provide independent civilian oversight and governance of the Calgary Police Service to ensure a safe community."

The Calgary Police Commission is the civilian body to which the Calgary Police Service is accountable. The eleven members of the Commission are volunteers appointed by City Council. The Calgary Police Commission is a statutory body created under the Alberta Police Act to oversee the Calgary Police Service. The Calgary Police Commission has the following legislated responsibilities:

• to allocate funds provided by City Council, done in consultation with the Chief of Police;
• to establish policies providing for efficient and effective policing;
• to issue instructions as necessary to the Chief in regards to those policies; and
• to ensure sufficient persons are employed by the Service to carry out the functions of the Service.

The Calgary Police Commission is responsible for appointing the Chief of Police and evaluating his or her performance. Additionally, the Calgary Police Commission monitors the public complaints process; handles complaints regarding the Chief of Police; and handles appeals regarding the policies of, or services provided by, the Calgary Police Service.

The Calgary Police Commission is accountable to the Alberta Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security and operates in accordance with the Calgary Police Commission bylaw, set by the City of Calgary.

The Police Commission acts as a link between the community and the Service with a mandate to balance the requirements of public accountability with those of police independence, and to provide an interface between the Calgary Police Service, elected officials and other agencies.