Resolve a Complaint with a Police Officer

How to resolve a complaint concerning the conduct of a First Nations police officer in Alberta

First Nations Police Officers (Police Act of Alberta) | Complaint and Appeal Process

1.) Complaint Procedure

Address complaint to either the Public Complaint Director of the First Nation Police Commission or to the Chief of Police of the First Nation police service. See below for contact information. The complaint may be submitted where the officer who is the subject of the complaint is employed.

2.) Provide Details

Your complaint should be in writing, and must contain the reasons for your complaint, and the details of the incident involved.

3.) Informal resolution and mediation

Prior to conducting a formal investigation, the police service may attempt to resolve the matter informally with the consent of you and the police officer(s) involved.

4.) Investigation of complaint

• Complaints submitted to the Public Complaint Director:
  Upon receipt of your complaint, the Public Complaint Director will forward it to the Chief of Police who will assign a member of the police service to investigate.
• Complaints submitted to the Chief of Police
  Upon receipt of your complaint, the Chief of Police will assign it to a member of the police service for investigation.

You may be interviewed and you may also be requested to provide a written statement. You will be notified, in writing, every 45 days as to the progress of your complaint. When the investigation is completed, the Chief of Police will review it and decide what action, if any, will be taken. You will be advised, in writing, of the police service’s decision.

Appeal Procedure

1.) Law Enforcement Review Board

If you are not satisfied with the decision of the Chief of Police, you may appeal the decision to the Law Enforcement Review Board within 30 days. Submit your appeal, in writing, stating the points in the police findings with which you disagree and the reasons why.

2.) Appeal Hearing

The Law Enforcement Review Board is an independent non-police body consisting of a chairperson and two members appointed by the provincial government. The Board will advise you, in writing, of the date, time and place of the hearing and what, if anything, will be required of you. You have the right to counsel should you so choose.

Address Appeal Correspondence to: Law Enforcement Review Board
1502, 10025 102A Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2Z2

3.) Board’s Decision

The decision of the Law Enforcement Review Board is final unless it appears that the Board has misinterpreted the law in coming to its decision. In this case, the decision may be appealed to the Court of Appeal within 30 days of its release (but only with the Court’s permission).

Contact Information

Chief of Police
Lakeshore Regional Police Service
Box 291
Driftpile, AB T0G 0V0

Public Complaint Director/Chair
Lakeshore Regional Police Service Police Commission
Box 291
Driftpile, AB T0G 0V0