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= Alberta Community Peace Officer = A Community Peace Officer is a type of Law Enforcement Officer in the Canadian Province of Alberta. Community Peace Officers (commonly known as ‘Peace Officers” or CPO’s) are appointed by the Solicitor General of Alberta under the Peace Officer Act, but are not typically employed directly by the Solicitor General’s office or the Province. Community Peace Officers are employed by municipalities, healthcare institutions, educational institutions and other government or quasi-government agencies. Community Peace Officers are considered peace officers under the Criminal Code of Canada when they are operating within the scope of their appointment.

Community peace officers and the community peace officer program were implemented as a replacement to the special constable program. During the transition, special constables were re-appointed as Community Peace Officers.

Types of Peace Officers and Authorities outlined by the peace officer act
The Alberta Peace Officer act defines “Alberta Peace Officers” level 1 and 2, and “community Peace Officers” level 1 and 2.

Both Level 1 and 2 “Alberta Peace Officers” (APO) are separate from Community Peace Officers (CPO) and denotes law enforcement employed directly by the province, such as Sheriffs, Correctional Officers, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers, etc.

Community Peace Officers are not Police Officers and have a much more limited scope of authority, which varies dependent on the peace officers specific appointment. Unlike Police, Community Peace Officers do not typically have enforcement powers while “off-duty” and cannot enforce outside of their defined jurisdiction, unless an agreement exists with the agencies in that jurisdiction.

Community peace officers do not carry sidearms or rifles, though some are permitted to carry shotguns for the purpose of animal control.

Level One CPO
Level One Community Peace Officers (CPO1) are given full authority to enforce the provincial Traffic Safety Act, Rules of the Road Regulation, and Alberta Gaming and Liquor act, as well as other provincial statutes relevant to their appointment. CPO1 Officers are permitted to use vehicles with red and blue emergency lights and are allowed to conduct traffic stops. These officers are permitted to carry OC spray and Batons. Some are permitted to carry a shotgun in their vehicle for the purpose of animal control. CPO1 are required to wear a standardized uniform consisting of a grey uniform shirt with shoulder flashes marked “PEACE OFFICER” and the name of their agency, and black or navy blue pants with a grey stripe down the legs.

Level Two CPO
Level Two Community Peace Officers (CPO2) have more limited authority and typically are only allowed to enforce non-moving violations under the traffic safety act and rules of the road regulation, in addition to other provincial statutes such as the trespass to premises act or the dangerous dogs act. CPO2 are not typically permitted to use vehicle with red and blue light unless their agency makes a specific request to the Office of the Solicitor General. CPO2’s are not allowed to make traffic stops, but may perform other traffic control duties. These officers are only permitted to carry a baton as a defensive weapon. CPO2’s are not required to wear a uniform as many CPO2’s are administrative in nature or have a highly specific purpose, such as photo radar or animal control. However CPO2’s may use the CPO1 uniform if the agency chooses to do so.

Arrests and Warrants
Both levels of CPO may perform arrests for offences defined in the acts for which they have an appointment, or a citizens arrest under criminal code of Canada section 494 for criminal code offences. CPOs may arrest under outstanding warrants if the warrant is for an offence for which the CPO has an appointment.

Emergency Authority
In the event of a provincial or regional state of emergency, such as a natural disaster, the solicitor general and minister of justice may temporarily expand the jurisdiction and authority of Community Peace Officers.

Municipal Bylaw Authorities
Community Peace Officers do not have municipal bylaw enforcement authority by default, however many municipalities employing CPOs will also appoint their officers as municipal bylaw officers, which will give the officers the ability to enforce municipal bylaws as well.

Municipal bylaw officers are not considered Community Peace Officers unless they also hold an appointment as a CPO1 or CPO2.

Notable Community Peace Officer Agencies
The majority of municipalities in Alberta are served by Community Peace Officers in some capacity, and this is not an exhaustive list of all authorized employers. Note that all authorized employers must be government or quasi-government, they cannot be fully private organizations.

Educational Institutes

 * NAIT Protective Services
 * University of Alberta Protective Services
 * Macewan University Security Services

Healthcare

 * Alberta Health Services Protective Services
 * Covenant Health Protective Services

Public Transit

 * Edmonton Transit System Peace Officers
 * Calgary Transit Public Safety and Enforcement Section

Animal Protection Agencies

 * Edmonton Humane Society
 * Calgary Humane Society
 * Alberta SPCA

Municipalities
Most municipalities are served by Community Peace Officers. Towns and other settlements without their own Peace Officer Agency often receive services from their County or Municipal District.