Community Peace Officer
The Community Peace Officer (CPO) is responsible for investigating complaints as well as the enforcement of county bylaws and provincial statutes. The CPO enhances public safety on County roadways by working with the RCMP and Alberta Sheriffs to enforce the Traffic Safety Act, Athabasca County’s Traffic Bylaw, and Athabasca County’s Off Highway Vehicle Bylaw.
Through regular patrols of the County, the CPO also helps to prevent theft and damage to property in residential areas. The CPO takes a leading role in the protection of County infrastructure through restricting overweight and oversize commercial vehicles, patrolling parks and recreation areas, and by conducting traffic enforcement in school zones.
Submit a complaint
An officer will begin an investigation into your complaint and provide action as warranted, once it has been determined if there has, or has not been, a breach of legislation. Actions taken may include a notice for remedial measures (i.e. clean-up or removal of garbage at an unsightly property), verbal warning to educate and mitigate the violator from continuing the breach of legislation, and/or laying charges through a bylaw ticket or provincial violation ticket.
To investigate your complaint the CPO will collect your name, address, and phone number(s), as well as the following information:
- Date and time of the event
- Type of event
- Location and or address of the event
- General description of the event
Anonymous complaints will not be accepted.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are reporting an after-hours incident involving a vicious or dangerous dog please contact your local RCMP Detachment or 911.
You may be asked to provide a sworn statement to the CPO, as well as to attend court. If you are required to attend court in regard to your complaint, your name may be provided to the defendant.
Barking Dog Complaints
For a barking dog complaint, please fill out the Barking Dog Package available below. The package will ask you to track the dog’s barking over a period of several days. This package is used to determine whether or not the dogs barking would be considered excessive under the Dog Control Bylaw. Please submit the Barking Dog Package using the complaint process described above.
How to submit your forms
Completed Complaint Forms and Barking Dog packages are accepted at the County Administration Office or via email at cpo@athabascacounty.com.
Stray Dogs
If you find a stray dog please contact the County office during regular business hours at the number provided above. Stray dogs will only be accepted during business hours. Dogs found after these hours must be held until the next business day.
If you are missing a dog you can check the Athabasca County Facebook page to see any recently found dogs. When the owner of the dog is found the posting on Facebook is updated to indicate so.
Rural Crime Prevention
The Boyle and Athabasca RCMP Detachments, in partnership with Athabasca County Peace Officers, are sharing information with property owners to help them apply principles of crime prevention through environmental design. The concept involves several methods of reducing opportunities for crime where the focus shifts from the criminal element to that of the environment of the potential victim.
This concept is based on three overlapping strategies:
NATURAL SURVEILLANCE – the placement of physical features, activities, and people in a way that maximizes visibility. Can neighbours, an RCMP Constable or Peace Officer see your residence, outbuildings or an offender if they were driving by? Consider making your property more visible by opening sight lines and adding lights to your property.
NATURAL ACCESS CONTROL – this employs elements such as gates, doors, shrubs, and fences to deny admission to your property and create the perception of risk in trying to enter your property.
TERRITORIAL REINFORCEMENT/MAINTENANCE – this refers to the development of areas or places where users feel a strong sense of ownership. It helps make clear what your property is and makes it look maintained and lived in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Peace Officers does the County have?
Athabasca County employs one full-time Peace Officer (Level 1).
Does the County deal with animal complaints other than stray dogs?
Our Peace Officer is able to assist residents with calls regarding farm animals that have become a safety issue for drivers on County roads or provincial highways. Our bylaws are limited to farm animals and stray dogs so these are the areas of focus.
Are there any bylaw regarding cats in the County?
No. Athabasca County does not regulate cats nor does it have the facilities to handle stray cats.
If I want to remain anonymous and submit a complaint can I do so?
Anonymous complaints cannot be actioned. The Peace Officer will require your name and contact information if you wish for your complaint to be addressed,
What types of issues does the Peace Officer deal with?
Athabasca County’s Peace Officer responds to complaints from residents of a wide nature. Their areas of focus are matters that are in direct relation to the Bylaws of the Municipality, as well as the Alberta Traffic Safety Act and its Regulations.
How do I get in touch with the Peace Officer?
You can call the County Administration Office (780-675-2273) and ask to speak with them or you can send an email to cpo@athabascacounty.com and it will be addressed by the Peace Officer when time allows. If you wish to submit a complaint you can do so by using Complaint Form available under the “Submit a Complaint” tab.
