The purpose of the complaint process is to resolve issues between Calgarians and the Calgary Police Service and its members fairly and reasonably.
Click on the following questions to find the answers you need:
How to formally Compliment an officer
What can a citizen complain about?
Who can make a complaint?
How is a complaint made?
What do I include in the complaint?
Where do I send my complaint?
How are complaints resolved?
What is the appeal process?
How to formally compliment an officer
The Calgary Police Commission also tracks commendations of the Calgary Police Service. If you feel that a member of the service is deserving of a compliment, you are encouraged to share your experience.
A compliment may be communicated in any of the following ways:
- Contact the District or Unit office of the member(s).
- Contact the Calgary Police Service Professional Standards Section at (403) 206-5904.
- Contact the Office of the Chief
- Contact the Commission
All compliments are kept on the officer's file and are sent to his or her supervisor
What can a citizen complain about?
- The on-duty actions of the Chief of Police
- The on-duty actions of any police officer
- Calgary Police Service policies
- The quality of service provided by the Calgary Police Service.
Note: Complaints about off-duty conduct may be considered when there is a connection between the conduct and the police officer's position.
Who can make a complaint?
Anyone who is concerned about an incident involving a police officer or a policy of the police service can make a complaint. Complaints may be made on a person's behalf if the complainant is a minor or has a mental or physical barrier to filing the complaint personally.
How is a complaint made?
- Complaints must be in writing and signed by the complainant if possible.
- Complaints can be mailed, faxed, delivered or e-mailed to the Calgary Police Commission or the Calgary Police Service addresses on the About Us page.
- Complaints about the Chief of Police should be sent directly to the Calgary Police Commission's office.
What do I include in the complaint?
- Place, date and time of incident
- Names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses
- Names or badge numbers of the officers involved
- Any numbers on police vehicles
- Also describe what took place and what statement or actions the citizen is concerned about
- Include all photocopies of any documents issued during the incident.
(Do not send original documentation)
Where do I send my complaint?
It can be faxed, e-mailed, delivered or mailed to the Calgary Police Commission Office, the Citizen Complaints Unit of the Calgary Police Service, or at the Office of the Chief of Police. If you decide to mail or fax your complaint, it is recommended that you follow up with a telephone call if you do not get a letter saying the complaint has been received.
For more information on the complaint process, please contact the Public Complaint Director at the address given above or at cpcccm@calgarypolicecommission.ca or the Calgary Police Service at the address given below.
Citizen Complaints Unit of the Calgary Police Service
- Professional Standards
701 – 100 – 4 Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta
Telephone: 403-206-5904
Office of The Chief
- Andrew Davison Building
133 - 6 Avenue SE
Calgary, Alberta
T2G 4Z1
Telephone: 403-206-5900
How are Complaints Resolved?
- Supervisor Intervention
- Mediation
- Formal Investigation
- A combination of the three
