Alberta plans to move sheriffs into a new provincial police service.

The Alberta government tabled Bill 15 to move 1,200 sheriff employees and their budget into a new Alberta Sheriff Police Service, and Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said about 600 sheriffs would get six weeks of additional training to serve as police officers.

Alberta's government has tabled legislation to transfer 1,200 sheriff employees and their budget into a new Crown corporation called the Alberta Sheriff Police Service. Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis said roughly 600 sheriffs would receive six weeks of extra training to serve as police officers. The bill would also allow the new service to continue operating the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods program. The United Conservative Party has introduced this as the fourth bill aimed at creating a provincial policing option that would work alongside existing police services. Key points: - Bill 15 would move 1,200 Alberta sheriff employees and their budget to the Alberta Sheriff Police Service Crown corporation. - About 600 sheriffs are planned to receive six weeks of additional training to serve as police officers, Minister Mike Ellis said. - The legislation would allow ASPS officers to continue running the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) program. - The government says the ASPS will work alongside existing police services and provide communities an option to the RCMP, municipal, or Indigenous police service. - The communities of Coaldale and Hardisty have expressed interest in opening ASPS detachments. - Officials did not provide a timetable or a full cost for the transition; the Alberta Sheriffs budget for 2025–26 was about $156 million and further fiscal details were expected when the provincial budget was tabled. Summary: If passed, the bill would transfer sheriff staff and budget into the ASPS and add trained officers intended to assist existing police services. Two communities have expressed interest in ASPS detachments. Officials have not given a full timetable or total transition cost, and further details were reported as forthcoming with the provincial budget.