Community Peace Officer
Community Peace Officers (CPOs) play a vital role within the County of Athabasca. CPOs are tasked with a number of responsibilities, such as, maintaining public safety, investigating and enforcing bylaw and provincial statutes and participate in Community Engagements. CPOs enhance public safety on County roadways by partnering with the RCMP, Alberta Sheriffs, Fish & Wildlife and neighbouring Community Peace Officers to enforce the Traffic Safety Act.
Athabasca County Peace Officers have a number of responsibilities under their appointment that they deal with including, but not limited to, the Traffic Safety Act, Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act/Regulation, Forest and Prairie Protection Act, Petty Trespass/Trespass to Premises Act, Dangerous Dogs Act, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Community Standards Bylaw, Dog Control Bylaw, and the Off Highway Vehicle Bylaw.
As part of their jurisdiction, they’re also responsible for enforcement in the Village of Boyle, Summer village of Island Lake, Summer village of South Baptiste and the hamlets within the County. At times, they will participate in Joint Force Operations with other agencies within and outside the County.
Athabasca County Peace Officers participate in a number of community events to foster a positive relationship with the community and members of the public. Whether its through the Child Seat Safety Inspection Program, participating in community clean up, town halls, regularly visiting schools and campgrounds or speaking at general assemblies/meetings on safety specific topics, Athabasca Peace Officers are dedicated to providing excellent service and be exemplary ambassadors for the County.
Submit a complaint
You can call the 24 hour Complaint Line 587-746-0647 to speak with a dispatcher. Please note enforcement staff are not available 24/7 and work at various times. An officer will get back to you as soon as they are available.
You can send an email with the completed complaint form to records@athabascacounty.com and it will be addressed by a Peace Officer when time allows.
Once the complaint has been dispatched, an officer may contact you if further information is required or a statement needs to be filled out. Once the investigation is completed, an officer will make every attempt to contact you with the disposition of your complaint.
To have your complaint investigated, please fill out the complaint form in full (see complaint form link at the bottom).
Incomplete forms and Anonymous complaints will not be accepted.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are reporting an criminal complaint or a complaint involving a weapon, please contact the RCMP Detachment or 911.
Athabasca RCMP 780.675.4252
Boyle RCMP 780.689.3622
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 as part of disclosure.
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 records@athabascacounty.com
Lost and Found Pets
If you find a a dog/cat or need to report a lost dog/cat, please contact the County office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 8am-4pm) at 780-675-2273.
If you are missing a pet you can check the Athabasca County Facebook page to see any recently found pets. When the owner of the pet is found the posting will be updated to indicate so.
Currently the County of Athabasca does not have a Cat bylaw. As the County does not regulate cats nor does it have the facilities to handle stray cats. For any cat concerns you can contact SCARS at 780-466-7227 or by their webpage
Reported lost animals can be found below. If the page is empty there are currently no animals reported.
Educate yourself first!
Since COVID, animal rescue facilities have seen an influx of animals requiring housing within their facilities. This increase of animals in need caused many animal rescue facilities, vet clinics and boarding facilities to become overwhelmed and at capacity. The facilities that agencies like Athabasca County Enforcement Services utilize to assist with dog complaints are over capacity and can not lodge dogs that are found at large or picked up by concerned members of the public.
We ask that members of the public DO NOT pick up dogs they see running at large. There is a lot of risk to personal safety and the safety of the animal when doing so. Athabasca County does not have an animal shelter to facilitate those dogs found.
If you see a dog on the shoulder, near the highway or county road we ask that you do NOT attempt to pick up the dog. Safety is our priority. By stopping your vehicle, attempting to pick up a dog, the risk of a collision grows exponentially. There is also a risk of the dog being scared or startled which could result in a defensive dog bite or the dog running into the path of a motor vehicle.
There are also times that the dog has just wandered off the owner’s property and while we know the intentions are good, the owners of that dog would then be missing their dog. Try to be aware if there are any residences nearby that the animal may have come from.
Lost or found animals can be reported by calling the Peace Officer Dispatch line at 587-746-0647 or by calling the County office during regular operating hours at 780-675-2273. When reporting an animal that you have lost or found to the Athabasca County Enforcement Services, we ask that you provide the following information:
- The location the pet has been found or lost.
- Pet name (If reporting lost pet)
- Contact Information of the caller
- Name of caller
- Contact Number
- Picture of pet (Mandatory for lost pet)
The caller must provide updates to the County once the pet has been put on the County Facebook page and website.
If you have a concern for the health of a dog or have reason to believe an animal is being abused, you can contact Alberta SPCA at 1-800-451-5927
If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Athabasca County Enforcement Services at 780-675-2273 or send an email to records@athabascacounty.com.
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 two full-time Community Peace Officers.
Does the County deal with animal complaints other than stray dogs?
County Peace Officers do not have the Stray Animals Act which would provide them the authority to respond to and enforce anything related to livestock. If you have a complaint regarding livestock, you can contact the RCMP or the Branding Inspector.
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. Our Peace Officers require certain information before investigating a complaint. You can find our complaint form under the “Submit a Complaint” tab. The form must be completed in full and emailed to Records@athabascacounty.com during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 8am-4pm). Missing formation may result in your complaint not being received. Outside regular business hours, you can contact our dispatch line at 587.746.0647.
What types of issues do the Peace Officers deal with?
Athabasca County Peace Officers respond to a wide range of complaints. Their areas of focus are matters in direct relation to County Bylaws, including but not limited to Provincial Acts such as the Traffic Safety Act, Liquor and Cannabis Act/Regulation, Forest and Prairie Protection Act, Petty Trespass/Trespass to Premises Act, Dangerous Dogs Act and the Animal Protection Act.
What should I do if I see an emergency vehicle with the lights on stopped on the road?
Currently, When passing in the same direction as police, ambulances, fire trucks or tow trucks that are stopped with their lights flashing, slow to at least 60 km/h, or the posted speed limit (whichever is lower).
This law applies to the lane(s) immediately next to the stopped vehicle, with it’s flashing lights activated.
Starting September 1, 2023, on a single lane road, when you see tow trucks, emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles or snowplows stopped with their lights flashing, you must slow to 60 km/h (or less if the speed limit is lower) in the same and opposite direction if you can not safely move over. On a road with 2 or more lanes, you must move over to the adjacent lane.
How do I get in touch with a Peace Officer?
You can call the County Enforcement Complaint Line 587-746-0647 and speak with a dispatcher.
You can send an email to records@athabascacounty.com and it will be addressed by a 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.
