Under the Police Act, the Chief of Police (Chief) may terminate the services of a police officer for reasons other than disciplinary reasons or if they are of the opinion that the police officer is unfit to be employed as a police officer. Where the Chief terminates an officer for these reasons, the notice of termination must be confirmed by the Edmonton Police Commission (Commission).
Guidelines:
- Section 37(2) of the Police Act grants the Chief statutory authority to terminate the services of a police officer, notwithstanding the provisions of a collective agreement, by serving a notice of termination to the police officer for reasons other than disciplinary reasons or if the Chief of Police is of the opinion that the police officer is unfit to be employed as a police officer.
- No process for non-disciplinary terminations of police officers who have completed their probationary period has been agreed to in the relevant collective
- For the notice of termination to take effect, it must be confirmed by the Commission within 30 days of service.
- The Commission shall review the notice of termination and advise the Chief and the affected officer(s) whether the Chief’s decision is confirmed within 30 days from the date the officer receives the notice of termination.
- Submissions may be made by the Chief and affected officer(s).
Procedures:
- Upon receiving notice from the Chief that an officer has been terminated under s. 37(2), the Commission’s Legal Counsel (LC) shall immediately notify the Commission Chair and Vice-Chair.
- The LC will send correspondence to the Chief and affected officer(s) inquiring whether an in-person hearing is requested and setting out the deadlines for providing written submissions to the Commission. Deadlines for written submissions will normally accord with the following timelines:
- Approximately 3 business days for the initial written submissions of the Chief;
- Approximately one week for the written submissions of the affected officer(s);
- Approximately one week for any reply submissions of the Chief.
- If the Chief or affected officer(s) have requested an in-person hearing, the LC shall coordinate with the Chief, the affected officer(s) and the Commission to arrange the hearing on a suitable date and time prior to the expiry of the 30-day period.
- If neither the Chief nor affected officer(s) have requested an in-person hearing, the Commission shall determine whether an in-person hearing is nonetheless required. If an in-person hearing is not required, the Commission shall consider the written submissions and decide whether to confirm the Chief’s decision prior to the expiry of the 30-day period at a special in camera meeting, or the next regularly scheduled in camera meeting following receipt of all written submissions.
- Once the Commission decides whether to confirm the Chief’s decision, the Chief and affected officer(s) shall be notified of the Commission’s decision within the 30-day period. The Commission will then provide the Chief and affected officer(s) with a written decision advising them of the Commission’s reasons for decision as soon as possible thereafter.
References:
1. Police Act, RSA 2000, c P – 17, s 37
Revised November 20, 2025