Alberta Regulation 174/2024, Police Governance (Ministerial) Regulation under the Police Act, establishes guidelines for the structure and function of policing committees across Alberta. This regulation delineates the framework for provincial, municipal, regional, and joint municipal policing bodies, ensuring oversight, accountability, and effective governance.

Key definitions in the regulation specify the scope of committees, including municipal policing committees, regional policing committees, and joint municipal policing committees. The regulation outlines the composition and responsibilities of these entities. For the Provincial Police Advisory Board, the regulation prescribes specific membership criteria, including representation from First Nations, rural municipalities, and other community stakeholders. The board’s membership is capped at 15 individuals, ensuring diverse yet manageable representation.

Municipal policing committees are required to have between three and seven members appointed by the local council, with terms lasting two to three years. Members undergo enhanced security checks, and appointments can only be revoked for cause. Committees elect chairs and vice-chairs annually, with restrictions on eligibility for chief elected officials. Similar provisions govern regional policing committees, which consist of representatives from participating municipalities. Joint municipal policing committees may also be established with ministerial approval, adhering to comparable structural and operational guidelines.

The regulation allows for municipalities to opt for a municipal policing committee instead of a regional one, subject to the Minister’s approval. This flexibility supports tailored governance structures based on local needs while maintaining standardized oversight mechanisms. The Minister has the authority to appoint additional members to any committee based on its size, ensuring balanced representation and input.

Committees and commissions are required to report membership changes to the Minister within 30 days, reinforcing transparency and administrative accountability. Furthermore, the regulation stipulates an expiry date of April 1, 2030, to prompt a review of its relevance and effectiveness.

This regulation aims to balance representation, security vetting, and structured governance, improving the efficacy and accountability of Alberta’s policing framework.

Alberta (174/2024) November 30, 2024