Chief Katie McLellan

🎓 Today, Friday, March 13, 2026, we welcomed 19 new police officers from Class 266, who have chosen to serve the city we are privileged to call home. Highlights from Class 266 include: ✅ 77% have completed post-secondary education across a wide range of fields, including criminal justice, criminology, accounting, communications, law, paramedicine, public safety, kinesiology & engineering. 💼 Past work experience includes corrections, sheriffs, security & military roles, as well as backgrounds in fitness training, traffic control, project management, firefighting, engineering & farming. 🌍 41% speak at least one language other than English, including Cantonese, French, German, Polish, Spanish, Punjabi, Arabic & others. Throughout their recruit training, these officers demonstrated resilience, integrity, leadership & a genuine commitment to making a positive difference in the community. Next week, they will become patrol members in our districts across the city they have been called to serve.

Great afternoon at the @rotaryyyc luncheon, where I had the opportunity to speak about the work happening across the @calgarypolice — much of it behind the scenes — that helps keep our city safe, compassionate, and resilient. I was also joined by a very special member of our team: Sadie, our first Operational Stress Intervention Dog. 🐾💙 She plays an important role in supporting the mental health and wellness of our members, and she was a hit with today’s guests. Thank you to the Rotary Club for the warm welcome and meaningful conversation about prevention, partnership, innovation, and the future of policing in our growing city. Together, we can keep building a safer Calgary for everyone.

Thanks to the @CPS_Commission for hosting an important and timely Policing Summit yesterday. It was a strong opportunity for meaningful dialogue with community partners, subject matter experts and Calgarians about the future of policing in our city. I am grateful for the honest conversations and the shared commitment to improving public safety while strengthening trust with those we serve. Looking forward to continuing this work together as we build the path ahead for policing in Calgary.

In yesterday’s @CPS_Commission meeting, I spoke to the heavy realities facing our city: rising suicide‑related calls, devastating traffic incidents, and the emotional toll carried by first responders. I urge Calgarians to slow down, pay attention, and look out for one another.

☪️ Ramadan Mubarak! ☪️ With Ramadan beginning this evening, we wish a peaceful & blessed month to all who are observing Ramadan. #Ramadan #RamadanMubarak

On Sunday, I joined community leaders and families at Calgary’s Chinese New Year Festival to welcome the Year of the Horse. It was a vibrant celebration filled with culture, tradition, and connection. I also had the pleasure of meeting Madame Zhao Liying, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China, here in Calgary. From the lively outdoor festivities to the symbolic lion eye dotting ceremony, it was inspiring to see Calgary come together in celebration of renewal, prosperity, and community spirit. Wishing everyone health, happiness, and good fortune in the year ahead.

Today, Deputy Chief O'Brien and I were downtown with our officers for another Safer Calgary – Operation Order initiative. Throughout the day, we engaged with numerous business owners, homeowners, visitors to downtown and members of the unhoused community. We talked about available resources and acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in our public spaces. I heard more than once that having our officers consistently present helps them feel safer and supported. This isn’t a one-day effort. In these focused operations, we bring in additional officers from other areas to support the work our CERT and patrol teams do every day. We’re here daily, connecting people with supports, enforcing laws and bylaws, and helping keep our community safe. We will continue to be here. Thank you for your continued support, and thank you to all of our amazing partners who support us, not just today, but every day.

Chief McLellan and Deputy Chief O’Brien are supporting officers during today’s operation. This morning, they assisted a man who was bleeding and holding a knife, safely disposing of the weapon and helping him get the care he needed.

Today, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, the Calgary Police Service (CPS) is conducting another focused Safer Calgary - Operation Order initiative in downtown Calgary & the surrounding area. Throughout the day, CPS officers, along with @CityOfCalgary Community Safety & @CalgaryTransit Public Safety peace officers, are proactively engaging with people in the identified areas, connecting them with supports & where necessary, enforcing laws & bylaws around drug use, possession, trafficking, social disorder & violent offences. These operations support the ongoing daily enforcement conducted by our patrol & Community Engagement Response Team (CERT) members. We encourage Calgarians to continue reporting crime & social disorder. These operations are data-driven, helping deploy resources where they are needed most. 🔗 For more information about Safer Calgary, visit calgarypolice.ca/public-safety/… 🤝 @AlbertaSheriffs, @CityOfCalgary, @CalgaryTransit, @CPS_Chief

Our thoughts are with the victims, families & all those affected by yesterday’s tragic events in B.C. In moments of profound loss, we are reminded of the strength that comes from supporting one another as a community. We also extend our deepest appreciation to the first responders who acted with courage, professionalism & unwavering commitment during an unimaginable situation. Their dedication continues to protect & uplift us all. CPS stands with Tumbler Ridge as they navigate this difficult time.

Last night I was pleased to be joined by members of the Calgary Police Commission, Minister Amery, the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team and Crime Stoppers at a townhall hosted by Dashmesh Cultural Centre to address the ongoing extortions that are victimizing our South Asian community. Our relationship with Calgary’s South Asian community has always been one built on partnership, trust, and shared commitment to a safe and welcoming city. We know that the recent extortion incidents have caused fear, frustration, and uncertainty for many families and business owners. This is an incredibly distressing time, and we recognize the emotional toll it has taken. The safety and well being of our community remain at the forefront of our work. We are listening, we are present in neighbourhoods, and we are committed to standing with you as these investigations continue.

This week, I had the pleasure of meeting with representatives of the Colombian Consulate, Consulate General Diego Gustavo Bautista Bernal and Ambassador Andres Paredes Campana. We discussed the importance of community connection, cultural understanding, and ongoing collaboration. These relationships help build trust and strengthen our shared commitment to a welcoming and inclusive Calgary, and I look forward to continuing this important work together.

I am proud to introduce the @CalgaryPolice Service’s first Operational Stress Intervention Dog, Sadie. Sadie supports all of our members, both sworn and civilian, when it comes to handling the stresses and challenges of policing. In addition to our robust Health and Wellness program, Sadie is a valuable resource that allows members another way to access mental health supports. Sadie’s role includes: 🔹 Supporting sworn and civilian members with debriefings, wellness appointments, and peer support activities 🔹 Participating in training sessions and wellness programming 🔹 Providing day-to-day emotional comfort for CPS members experiencing operational stress 🤝 Sadie comes to us through several partnerships, including funding provided by @WoundWarriorCA, which supports the training for Sadie and her handler that is provided by @bcguidedogs. Wounded Warriors Canada’s funding of Sadie was made possible thanks to the support of the Calgary-based Pulling Together for Mental Health annual fundraising event. This initiative reflects a larger cultural shift within policing, one where mental health is prioritized with the same seriousness as physical safety. It acknowledges that proactive, compassionate care is essential to sustaining a healthy, effective police service so that we, in turn, can serve all Calgarians in the best way possible. Join us in welcoming Sadie to the CPS!

Grateful to be part of celebrating Henry ‘Hank’ Jackson as he marked an incredible 105 years.   Hank’s dedication to Service, both as a police officer & as the last CPS member who actively fought in the Second World War, represents a remarkable legacy & life lived.   Happy birthday, Hank!

Det. Garagan, thank you for more than four decades of exceptional service to our city. Your leadership, compassion and unwavering commitment have left a lasting mark on Calgary. Finishing your final shift alongside your daughters is a powerful reflection of the legacy you’ve built. Congratulations on a remarkable career and thank you for everything you’ve contributed to our Service and to this community.

A sincere thank you to the Commission & City Councillors for spending the day training alongside our members. Your willingness to step into real‑time scenarios, explore our facilities & engage deeply with our use of force & de‑escalation practices strengthens our shared commitment to safe, accountable policing in Calgary. Thank you as well to the CPS teams who demonstrated their expertise & professionalism throughout the day. You represented our Service with pride & excellence. 🗣️ We’ve continuously enhanced our approach to de‑escalation & use of force. This includes introducing an enhanced De‑escalation & Use of Force Policy, collecting & publicly reporting on race‑based use‑of‑force data & implementing a provincially adopted De‑escalation & Use of Force Framework. We invest in de-escalation & use of force training from recruit class onward, with annual requalification & ongoing in-service education that threads de-escalation, strategic communication, mental health awareness & cultural competency throughout. In 2024, officers used force in 0.14 per cent of interactions (about one in every 700) with the public, the lowest rate in 7 years. De‑escalation is not tracked as a separate measure because it is used in most interactions & is built into officer training, the service’s decision‑making model & daily operations. The data show that most encounters end safely as a result of de‑escalation & sound tactical decisions. 🌐 For detailed reporting on the outcomes we track to inform our policy & practices, including how often & what types of force are used, race‑based data & year‑over‑year trends, visit: calgary.ca/cps/public-ser…. @CPS_Commission

Thank you to our community partners, parents & youth who joined us last night for an important conversation about the future of Calgary’s youth. This was the first in a series of Chief’s Town Halls taking place across Calgary, shining a spotlight on our most valuable asset: our youth. Like many cities across Canada, we’re seeing an increase in violent youth crime. Addressing this challenge requires all of us working together. Last night, we heard from CPS officers who work directly with youth, learned about the incredible support YouthLink offers to schools, parents & youth & welcomed members of our Youth Advisory Board. Community resource officers & school resource officers were also on hand to connect with attendees. Your engagement & thoughtful questions made this event truly impactful. We shared valuable resources for parents & youth & explored ways to strengthen community connections. This is just the beginning of a city-wide conversation about how we can work together to ensure the safety & bright future of Calgary’s youth.

Today, we pause to honour the life & service of Sgt. Andrew Harnett, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty 5 years ago. Though time has moved forward, the impact of his loss is still felt across our Service & throughout the community he protected. Sgt. Harnett was known not only for his courage, but for the kindness & humanity he brought to every interaction. His compassion left a mark on many & his legacy continues to live on in the stories we share & the lives he touched. He remains in our hearts & he will never be forgotten. Sgt. Harnett served with the CPS for 12 years, following a 3-year career as a military police officer. He is survived by his spouse, Chelsea & his son, who was born after his death. Sgt. Harnett is also survived by his mother & his brothers.

Thank you to all the reporters who took the time to speak with me as I reflected on the past year & the work ahead. Your thoughtful questions & commitment to keeping Calgarians informed play an important role in strengthening transparency, accountability & trust in our city. I appreciated the conversations with CTV Calgary, Global Calgary, RedFM, the Calgary Herald, Calgary Sun, LiveWire, CityNews, Fairchild Radio, CBC Radio, Windspeaker & National Times & I look forward to continuing these important discussions in the new year. To Calgarians: if you’re interested in hearing more about our priorities, progress & the work we’re focused on for the year ahead, I encourage you to tune in to these year‑end conversations. CTV Calgary - ctvnews.ca/calgary/video/…   Global Calgary - globalnews.ca/news/11589210/….   RedFM - youtube.com/watch?v=Qg86rh…   Calgary Herald - calgaryherald.com/news/local-new…   CityNews Calgary - calgary.citynews.ca/video/2025/12/…   CBC Radio Calgary - cbc.ca/listen/live-ra…   CJWE Radio - cjwe.ca/2025/12/11/cal…   National Times - youtube.com/watch?v=3ogKIp…