Police and Crime

Police operations are governed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms Act and the Police Act. The resources below may answer your questions about this. Also included here are resources that explain criminal records and pardons, and the criminal justice process for adults and youth.

The resources on this page were hand-picked by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta's staff as a good place to start.

For related information you can see the following sub-sections:


CPLEA Suggested Resources

Not sure where to begin finding answers to your questions. Get started with our suggested resources. See additional resources below for more information.

These FAQs are provided by the Canadian Legal FAQs, a website of the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta. They provide answers to questions about the Criminal Code of Canada. On this page you will find general information FAQs on the Code, shoplifting, and joyriding.

Related legal topic(s): Crimes and offences, Criminal law general resources, Criminal records and record suspensions, Youth criminal justice

These two online tutorials were created by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta. The first covers making a report to the police; what will they do; and what you may have to do. The second explains what else may happen for the accused.

Related legal topic(s): Criminal law general resources, Elder abuse, Family violence general resources, Legal process, Police

Alberta Resources

Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association was established in 1989 as the Alberta Community Police Advisory Committee by provincial Police Services as a means to discuss mutual crime related issues within communities/police/government. In 1990 it became the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association (ACCPA). The Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association (ACCPA) represents individuals and organizations interested in preventing and reducing crime in Alberta communities. More recently, an area of crime prevention that has become increasingly important to the growth of ACCPA is Crime Prevention Through Social Development (CPSD). Communities using the CPSD model address root causes of crime such as youth alienation, illiteracy, poverty, and abuse, and try to intervene earlier in childhood development to prevent future criminal and antisocial behaviour.

Related legal topic(s): Crime prevention

The Alberta Crown Prosecution Service prosecutes offences under the Criminal Code of Canada, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and provincial statutes in all courts in Alberta and is responsible for criminal appeals to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. They do not handle adult drug offences. Their site provides charts of the criminal justice process for adults and for youth and answers common questions about criminal prosecutions.

Related legal topic(s): Criminal law general resources

This online resource from Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security describes the structure of police services in Alberta.

Related legal topic(s): Crime prevention, Police

This online resource from Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security explains the process for making a complaint about police services and the conduct of police officers in the various types of police services operating in Alberta.

Related legal topic(s): Police

This information on reporting fraud is prepared by the Edmonton Police Service. It provides information on how to report a fraud to the police when you’re a victim
Related legal topic(s): Crime prevention, Crimes and offences

This online tutorial created by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta provides information about the structure of a trial after making a criminal complaint.

Related legal topic(s): Criminal law general resources, Elder abuse, Family violence general resources, Legal process

This online publication is provided by the Government of Alberta and is divided into sections including: You've been charged... now what?; Duty Counsel; If you don't have a lawyer; How do you get a lawyer?; Legal Aid; Other Services; Where will the trial be?; Pleading guilty; Getting ready for trial when you have pled not guilty; What happens in court?; and Sentencing.

Related legal topic(s): Arrest, Criminal law general resources, Legal process, Self-representation

Canada/Federal

This online version of a book produced by the John Howard Society of Alberta outlines the pardon application process. It also answers 20 frequently asked questions about pardons.

Related legal topic(s): Criminal records and record suspensions

LawNow is a bi-monthly digital public legal education magazine which has been  published by the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta for almost 40 years. Its articles  and columns are written in plain language and take a practical look at how the law relates to the every day lives of Canadians.In each issue, LawNow’s criminal law column takes a look at a specific topic in this area of law and explains it clearly and concisely.

Related legal topic(s): Criminal law general resources

This publication produced by Community Legal Education Ontario uses a question and answer format to describe citizen’s rights when interacting with the police. The information is about federal law; references to community agencies are for Ontario. (PDF – 18 pages)
Related legal topic(s): Arrest, Police

This article from the law firm Pringle Chivers Sparks uses a question and answer format to explain what information you must give to the police and things to consider before speaking with the police about criminal matters.
Related legal topic(s): Arrest, Police