What the PRC Can & Can’t Do
Clarity on the PRC’s role — what falls under our authority, and what doesn’t.
Summary of the PRC's responsibilities
The Police Review Commission (PRC) is responsible for addressing complaints related to the conduct of police officers in Alberta. It handles criminal allegations and violations of professional conduct. The PRC investigates these matters to ensure accountability and trust in policing.
The PRC is focused on ensuring fairness in how police officers in Alberta are held accountable for their conduct, with an emphasis on transparency, community involvement and upholding public confidence.
How cases are sorted
The Police Review Commission (PRC) categorizes complaints into five levels, ensuring that each one is addressed appropriately. Here’s how complaints are sorted:
Level 1Death, serious injury, or sensitive nature
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) investigates cases of death, serious injury and serious or sensitive allegations involving all police services in Alberta. ASIRT also investigates incidents meeting this description when they involve peace officers.
Level 2Statutory offences
These are allegations of criminal offences and violations of other laws that don't meet the criteria for Level 1. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is responsible for investigating these types of allegations involving all police services in Alberta.
Level 3Misconduct
Complaints about potential breaches of the Police Conduct and Oversight Regulation, which governs officer conduct, are categorized under this level. This includes offences such as unlawful use of authority, deceit and neglect of duty. The PRC's jurisdiction at this level applies to officers working for municipal and First Nation police services.
Level 4Job performance
Complaints related to police officers' professional performance, such as failure to follow procedures or meet job expectations, are classified under this level. These complaints are referred to an officer's employer for resolution through internal processes.
Level 5Police service policy
Complaints about the policies, procedures or operations of a police service, rather than individual officers, fall under this level. These complaints are referred to the involved police service for resolution using its internal processes.
CombinationsComplaints involving multiple levels
In some cases, complaints may involve issues from multiple levels (e.g., misconduct and performance issues). These combined complaints are handled with careful attention to ensure that each element is addressed properly. Levels 1-3 remain under the PRC, while levels 4-5 are referred to the police service that's involved.
What the PRC
can do
Investigate level 1 and 2 matters involving all Alberta police services
ASIRT handles cases of death, serious injury, serious or sensitive allegations, as well as other criminal and statutory offences involving all police services in Alberta.
Investigate Level 3 complaints involving municipal and First Nation police services
The PRC can receive complaints from the public about non-criminal misconduct involving officers working for municipal and First Nation police services.
Refer complaints to other services
If a complaint falls outside the PRC’s purview (such as level 4 or 5), the PRC can refer the complaint to the appropriate body.
Monitor transparency and accountability
The PRC ensures that the processes involving complaints about police officers are transparent and handled with accountability.
Assist with Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
The PRC can facilitate ADR processes to resolve complaints without formal investigations, when appropriate.
What the PRC
can't do
Handle complaints about non-Alberta police
The PRC does not have jurisdiction over police services outside of Alberta. Complaints about officers or services in other provinces or territories are not handled by the PRC.
Handle Level 3 complaints for RCMP officers
The PRC cannot handle code of conduct complaints involving RCMP officers. These complaints can be addressed by the local RCMP detachment or the RCMP's oversight body. Find other complaint agency information.
Handle public complaints about peace officers
Beyond serious matters covered by Level 1, the PRC does not handle complaints from the public about the conduct of peace officers working for the provincial government, municipalities, and other employers. Please direct these types of complaints to alternate authorities.
Handle employment-related issues
The PRC does not handle Level 4 complaints related to job performance for any police officers.
Provide legal advice
The PRC cannot offer legal advice to complainants or any other parties. For legal guidance, individuals are encouraged to seek assistance from legal professionals.
Other complaint agencies
Find contact information for filing complaints that don't fall under the PRC's jurisdiction.
RCMP complaints
The Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP is an independent agency that reviews non-criminal complaints made by the public about the duty-related conduct of RCMP members.
Sheriff complaints
Complaints about a peace officer in the Alberta Sheriffs can be sent to the Investigative Services Team (IST) in the Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services. Also use this process for complaints about Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services, which is part of the Alberta Sheriffs organization.
FAQs
These are some of the most common inquiries we receive. For additional information, check out our full FAQ below. If you need further assistance, our team is always ready to help.
Yes – but note that the PRC’s mandate over the conduct of RCMP officers is limited to cases involving potential criminal offences.
If the PRC determines that a complaint against an RCMP officer involves potential criminal or statutory offences, it will accept the complaint and assign it to ASIRT for investigation.
If the PRC’s assessment of a complaint against an RCMP officer determines that the allegations are non-criminal in nature, your file will be forwarded to the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP (CRCC) and you will be advised to follow up with the CRCC.
The PRC can help you with the complaint process and direct you to the appropriate authorities if your complaint falls outside the PRC’s jurisdiction, but the PRC can’t provide legal advice.
Depending on the nature of the complaint, an officer’s off-duty conduct may fall under the PRC’s jurisdiction. For example, an allegation of criminal wrongdoing by an officer while off-duty could meet the criteria of a Level 1 or Level 2 matter handled by the PRC.
Make a complaint
Start the process of making a complaint against a police officer. Your complaints will be dealt with via fair and thorough investigations, and transparent reporting.
Check complaint status
You can always check in on the status of your complaint. Timelines can vary on a case-by-case basis, but we aim to resolve complaints within 180 days.
