The Grande Prairie Police Service is now officially the police of jurisdiction in the city.
At 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 21, GPPS officially assumed responsibility for policing in the city.
Going forward, GPPS officers will respond to all police calls within city limits.
City Council first passed the decision to establish the police force back in March of 2023. Fast-forward to October 2026, GPPS completed their transition two years ahead of schedule.
“Today marks a significant milestone for the City of Grande Prairie,” says Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton. “This transition reflects years of planning, collaboration, and commitment from many people and organizations. We are proud to welcome the Grande Prairie Police Service as our police service, marking a new chapter in public safety built on local oversight, strong community partnerships, and a shared commitment to keeping Grande Prairie safe.”
Clayton added that the fast-tracked transition wouldn’t have been made possible without support from the provincial government.
“We’re extremely proud of being ahead of schedule and the work that has happened to date. I can tell you that this wouldn’t have happened without the province’s support.”
When the transition first begun in 2024, GPPS officers worked alongside the Grande Prairie RCMP to help prepare to assume responsibility for municipal policing.
During the transition, the service recruited and trained officers and civilian staff, developed policies and procedures, expanded operational capabilities, built partnerships, and established the systems necessary to support a municipal police service.
Grande Prairie Police Commission Chair, Dan Wong says that today’s milestone helps reflect the years of planning and preparation that it took to get to today.
“The Grande Prairie Police Commission has been proud to support the development of a police service built specifically to meet the needs of our community.”
GPPS Chief Dwayne Lakusta says that Wednesday was a historic moment for the city, as this is the first time in more than 70 years a city has established its own municipal police force in the province.
The Grande Prairie Police Service is proud to officially assume responsibility for policing our community. As we begin this new chapter, our commitment is clear: to deliver professional policing, strengthen public trust, and work alongside our community to keep Grande Prairie safe. Our success will be measured by the confidence we earn and the service we provide every day.”
Lakusta added that he thanks the city for their support.
“Thank you for your support, and we’re ready to serve and earn your trust, and maintain that trust for years to come.”
As of October 21, the service has 80 sworn-in officers on the force.
Police call-taking and dispatch services will now be provided through the city’s Public Safety Communications Centre. Dispatchers at the centre will be coordinating responses involving police, Grande Prairie Enforcement Services, and Mobile Outreach to help ensure the right team responds at the right time.
Residents are encouraged to continue using 9-1-1 for emergencies and 780-830-5700 for non-emergency police matters.
