Sat Parhar has been named the first chief of the Independent Agency Police Service. (Photo: Government of Alberta)

By David Opinko

Alberta names first chief of Independent Agency Police Service

Jul 2, 2025 | 1:42 PM

The head of a new agency that will allow more municipalities to move away from the RCMP if they choose to do so has been appointed.

The Government of Alberta has named Sat Parhar as the first chief of the Independent Agency Police Service (IAPS).

Premier Danielle Smith says Parhar’s appointment is a key milestone in her plan to give communities a real choice in how to keep people safe.

“This is about building a modern police service that reflects the priorities of Albertans, strengthens local decision-making, and ensures every corner of our province, especially rural areas, can count on responsive, effective law enforcement,” says Smith. “With his decades of experience and deep understanding of Alberta’s policing landscape, he is the right leader to bring this vision to life.”

Parhar has more than 25 years of policing experience, including being deputy chief of the Calgary Police Service.

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Officials within the government believe that his frontline policing experience and deep understanding of Alberta’s complex and diverse public safety landscape position him well to lead the agency.

He says it is an honour to take on the role and to help shape a modern police service built for Alberta.

“My focus from day one will be on setting high standards for professionalism, building strong relationships with our partners and ensuring this service reflects the needs and priorities of the communities we serve,” says Parhar.

Once operational, the province says the IAPS will “strengthen Alberta’s existing policing model” and complement current police services, including the RCMP, Indigenous policing services and municipal police.

The goal, they say, is to help fill gaps and ensure law enforcement resources are deployed efficiently to meet Alberta’s evolving public safety needs, particularly in rural communities.

Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn has supported the creation of a new provincial police service, telling Pattison Media in 2022 that the RCMP had been overcharging the town by $500,000 every year.

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Van Rijn says municipalities like his deserve a choice when it comes to policing, especially when the current system leaves them disadvantaged due to their size.

“We look forward to learning more about what that alternative will look like once an Alberta police agency is fully established and the options are clear. For us, this is about fairness, sustainability, and ensuring municipalities have access to policing solutions that reflect both their needs and their realities,” says Van Rijn.

The IAPS was created through the passing of the Public Safety Statutes Amendment Act, 2024. It will operate as an independent Crown corporation and will be renamed the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service.

It will eventually be headquartered in Calgary.