Calgary, AB,
25
June
2025
|
12:40
America/Denver

Police complaint resolution timelines continue to improve

The Calgary Police Service (CPS) continues to reduce its timelines for investigating complaints against officers.

The 2024 Professional Standards Section (PSS) Annual Report shows that about 78 per cent of police misconduct investigations are resolved in less than one year – an approximate eight per cent improvement from 2023, and a 25 per cent improvement from 2022.

Over the past several years, the Service has enhanced its complaints process to ensure timely and thorough investigations. Body-worn camera footage remains a vital tool, contributing to the resolution of 63 per cent of complaints in 2024. Cases involving such footage are typically resolved in four months compared to six months for those without it.

In 2024, the CPS focused on improving investigations that allege bias or unfair policing by:

  • Collecting race and gender data of complainants, through optional self-disclosure on the PSS portal
  • Translating content on the public portal into 10 additional languages
  • Standardizing investigative questions and processes, with input from racial equity experts
  • Providing additional training on investigating allegations of harassment, bias or unfair policing
  • Integrating inclusivity, cultural competency and racial equity into investigator training
  • Strengthening engagement with the CPS community advisory boards

The CPS responded to 561,115 calls for service in 2024, resulting in 272 formal complaints – just 0.05 per cent of total calls. Despite Calgary’s population growing by about three per cent annually since 2020, formal complaints have declined. In 2024, the CPS received 13 per cent fewer complaints per capita compared to the five-year average.

2024 PSS statistics:

  • 1,237 total files opened (down four per cent from the five-year average)
  • 874 citizen contacts (down one per cent from the five-year average)
  • 272 external complaints (down six per cent from the five-year average)
  • 31 internal complaints (down 43 per cent from the five-year average)
  • 155 formal investigations (down 17 per cent from the five-year-average)
  • 63 per cent of complaints were resolved partially or completely using body-worn camera footage
  • Complaints mostly related to rude or unprofessional behaviour (51 per cent) or lack of service (21 per cent)

Looking ahead: Police Review Commission

The CPS continues to work with the Government of Alberta on the upcoming Police Review Commission (PRC), set to launch at the end of 2025. The PRC will investigate all Police Act complaints and criminal allegations against municipal police officers in Alberta. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) will become part of the PRC.

The full 2024 PSS Annual Report is available on the Calgary Police Service website.