Senior Investigator / Investigator

Role Responsibilities

Are you ready to play a role in Alberta’s newest police oversight agency? Do you thrive on conducting complex investigations, gathering and analyzing evidence, and preparing detailed reports that impact public trust in policing?

As a Senior Investigator with the Police Review Commission (PRC), you will lead complex and sensitive investigations into allegations of police misconduct. You will design and oversee investigative plans, analyze evidence, conduct interviews, and prepare detailed investigative reports that inform disciplinary outcomes. You will also mentor investigators, review their files, and contribute to building investigative standards that strengthen the PRC’s oversight model.

Senior Investigator

•    Investigative Leadership – Develop and lead complex investigative plans, review files prepared by investigators, and ensure investigations meet legal, procedural, and evidentiary standards.
•    Evidence & Analysis – Gather, analyze, and assess digital and physical evidence, ensuring compliance with rules of evidence, disclosure, and confidentiality.
•    Mentorship & Training – Support investigators through mentoring, coaching, and reviewing investigative reports, while contributing to investigative standards and capacity building.
•    Stakeholder Engagement – Liaise with legal counsel, police services, and complainants in high-profile or sensitive matters requiring advanced judgment and discretion.
•    Reporting & Testimony – Prepare detailed investigative reports and appear as a witness in disciplinary hearings, providing evidence and expert testimony.
•    Continuous Improvement – Contribute to investigative guidelines, tools, and policies to strengthen the integrity and consistency of PRC investigations.

Please click on this link to view the job description for Senior Investigator.

Role Responsibilities Cont.

As an Investigator with the Police Review Commission (PRC), you will conduct thorough investigations into complaints of police misconduct, working under the guidance of senior staff. You will gather and analyze evidence, interview complainants, subject officers, and witnesses, and prepare clear investigative reports that contribute to fair and timely disciplinary decisions.

This role focuses on developing investigative expertise, applying trauma-informed practices, and supporting the PRC’s mandate of building public trust and strengthening accountability in policing.

Investigator 

•    Investigative Practice – Develop investigative plans, gather evidence, and conduct interviews with complainants, subject officers, and witnesses.
•    Evidence Management – Collect, document, and handle digital and physical evidence in compliance with best practices and disclosure requirements.
•    Reporting – Prepare accurate investigative reports and recommendations for senior review, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and adherence to policy.
•    Collaboration – Work with senior investigators, case coordinators, and resolution specialists to advance cases and recommend outcomes.
•    Learning & Development – Build investigative expertise over time, seeking mentorship from senior staff, and contributing to continuous improvement projects.
•    Professional Integrity – Apply trauma-informed approaches, maintain confidentiality, and navigate sensitive interactions with professionalism and impartiality.

Please click on this link to view the job description for Investigator. 

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

To excel in these roles, the successful candidate will demonstrate the following competencies:

Senior Investigator
 
•    Systems Thinking: Anticipates outcomes, integrates legislative and policy context, and identifies long-term impacts of investigative findings.
•    Creative Problem Solving: Generates investigative strategies, addresses complex challenges, and mentors staff in problem-solving approaches.
•    Agility: Navigates procedural changes and high-pressure environments with advanced judgment, discretion, and adaptability.
•    Build Collaborative Networks: Establishes strong partnerships with police services, legal counsel, and stakeholders to advance investigations.
•    Develop Self and Others: Mentors investigators, provides training, and supports professional growth across the investigative team.

Investigator

•    Systems Thinking: Applies legislation, policy, and investigative standards to day-to-day casework, considering broader PRC objectives.
•    Creative Problem Solving: Collects and analyzes information, explores investigative approaches, and contributes to tailored recommendations.
•    Agility: Adapts to evolving case dynamics, procedural updates, and stressful situations while seeking guidance as needed.
•    Build Collaborative Networks: Builds respectful working relationships across the PRC, with complainants, police, and legal partners.
•    Develop Self and Others: Seeks mentorship, engages in training, and builds capacity to independently manage investigations over time.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

•    Senior Investigator (PS4MA): University degree in Criminology, Law and Society, Police Studies, Sociology or any other related field, plus four (4) years of related experience.

•    Investigator (PS3MA): University degree in Criminology, Law and Society, Police Studies, Sociology or any other related field, plus two (2) years of related experience.

Directly related education or experience will be considered on the basis of: 

•    1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
•    1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

The following will be considered assets (both roles):

•    Experience in investigative techniques, including interviewing complainants, witnesses, and subject officers.
•    Experience drafting investigative reports and disclosure packages.
•    Experience working with judicial authorizations (e.g., production orders, search warrants).
•    Knowledge of the Police Act, Police Service Regulation, Canada Evidence Act, and other relevant legislation.
•    Experience with evidence handling, including digital evidence.
•    Ability to work independently and manage complex, sensitive files.
•    Strong communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
•    Experience working with Indigenous and diverse communities.

Technical Competencies:

•    Knowledge of investigative standards, evidentiary rules, and disclosure obligations.
•    Ability to prepare and present detailed investigative reports for hearings.
•    Strong analytical skills to interpret information and identify investigative gaps.
•    Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn case management systems.
•    Ability to foster collaboration across diverse teams and stakeholders.
•    Political acumen and sound judgment in handling sensitive, high-profile cases.

Other Requirements:

•    Must be able to pass and maintain a fingerprint-based criminal records check, police information check, and other clearances required to access police databases.
•    Class 5 driver’s license and clear driver’s abstract; travel within Alberta required.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

•    There are multiple permanent, full-time positions available for the Senior Investigator and Investigator role.
•    Location: Edmonton or Calgary
•    Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week (permanent full time)
•    Monday to Friday (8:15 am to 4:30 pm)

Other Application Information:

A cover letter is required with your application.

•    Please indicate employment duration for all roles listed on your resume e.g. Jan 2022 to Dec 2023.
•    Final candidates may be required to undergo an assessment.
•    This position may require final candidates to undergo security clearance.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

What the GoA has to offer to prospective employee:

•    Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
•    Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca
•    Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
•    Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
•    Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
•    Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
•    Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.