Alberta Sheriffs Branch

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Alberta Sheriffs Branch
Patch of Alberta Sheriffs
Alberta Sheriff Logo
Common name	Alberta Sheriffs
Abbreviation	SB
Motto	Respect, accountability, integrity, excellence
Agency overview
Formed	March 10, 2006
Preceding agency	Courts and Prisoner Security (CAPS: 1988–2006)
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction	Alberta, Canada
Province of Alberta
Size	661,848 km2 (255,541 sq mi)
Population	4,371,000
Constituting instrument	Peace Officer Act
Operational structure
Headquarters	Edmonton, Alberta
Sworn members	1050
Elected officer responsible	Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services
Agency executive	Bob Andrews, Interim Chief Sheriff
Facilities
Stations	30
Website
www.alberta.ca/sheriff-career.aspx

The Alberta Sheriffs Branch^[1] is a provincial law enforcement agency overseen by the Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services^[2] of the province of Alberta, Canada. Under the authority of the Peace Officer Act, Alberta Sheriffs are provincial peace officers with jurisdiction over the province of Alberta. The premier of Alberta has the authority to grant emergency police powers to all Alberta sheriffs during major emergencies within the province. The Alberta Sheriffs Branch is the largest sheriff service in Canada.

There are several divisions currently operating in various areas around the province. The sheriffs can enforce all provincial and federal acts with active enforcement depending on unit. Training is completed at the Justice and Solicitor General's Training Academy, in Edmonton. Sheriff recruit training is a fifteen-week course consisting of classroom and field experience. Once graduated, an additional nine months of on the job training is conducted.^[3]