Calgary Police Service - Legal Counsel

At The City of Calgary, employees thrive, courageous ideas come to life, and public service opens possibilities. If you are motivated by public service, enjoy collaborating with others, share our values and have a desire to learn and grow, join our organization. We support work-life balance, promote physical and psychological safety, and offer competitive wages, pensions, and benefits.

We are the organization that serves the third most diverse city in Canada and one of the most livable cities in the world; a workplace committed to Truth and Reconciliation and fostering employee belonging.  We welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds. Accommodation is available during the recruitment process, upon request. 

Reporting to the Director of Legal Services, the Legal Counsel provides advice and representation across a broad range of criminal law and administrative matters. This position offers a unique opportunity for an experienced Crown prosecutor, criminal litigator, or other accomplished advocate to apply their courtroom skills in the policing and professional-regulation environment. The successful candidate will serve as the Presenting Officer in professional standards disciplinary proceedings and provide strategic legal advice on criminal law, police powers, investigations, evidence, disclosure, and other legal issues arising from policing. The role requires excellent advocacy and judgment, the ability to manage complex and sensitive matters, and a practical understanding of the realities of policing and criminal litigation. The position also involves legal research, risk assessment, and strategic advocacy, with flexibility to support additional litigation, advisory work, and emerging legal issues. Primary duties include:

• Act as Presenting Officer in professional standards disciplinary proceedings, with responsibility for all aspects of case preparation and presentation, including evidentiary and legal analysis, disclosure, witness preparation, litigation strategy, presentation of evidence, and oral and written advocacy.

• Advise Professional Standards investigators and other Calgary Police Service (CPS) clients on legal issues arising during investigations, while maintaining appropriate professional roles and responsibilities. 

• Provide legal opinions and operational advice on criminal law, evidence, police powers, search and seizure, arrest and detention, disclosure, Charter issues, investigative authorities and related areas of policing law. 

• Advise on developments in criminal law and policing law that affect CPS operations, investigations, training or policy.

• Conduct judicial reviews by preparing court materials, written submissions, and related documentation.

• Perform legal research and analysis to inform policy, risk management, and operational decisions.

• Support litigation files, advisory matters, and other legal assignments as required.

• Represent the CPS and the Chief in a range of litigation matters.

• Participate on committees and working groups, both internal and external, to advance organizational objectives.

Qualifications 

• A law degree and a current member in good standing of the Law Society of Alberta.
• A minimum of 5 years related experience in the areas of criminal law and administrative law.
• Knowledge of police disciplinary processes, judicial review and/or administrative appeals is considered an asset.
• Previous legal experience in a law enforcement environment is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience conducting contested hearings or trials. 
• Strong knowledge of Canadian criminal law, the law of evidence and Charter jurisprudence. 
• Excellent oral advocacy, legal research and written communication skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to assess large and complex evidentiary records and exercise sound legal judgment. 
• Ability to provide timely, practical advice in a complex operational environment. 
• Strong professional judgment, discretion and ability to manage highly sensitive and confidential matters.
• Success in this position requires emotional intelligence; creating and sustaining safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces; promoting supportive, balanced and professional accountability; building and maintaining relationships; developing self and others; striving for results.

 Pre-employment Requirements 

• An enhanced security clearance will be conducted.
• Successful applicants must provide proof of qualifications. Education obtained from out of country must have or be able to obtain, an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) for confirmation of equivalent credentials.

Position and Pay Information

Business Unit: Calgary Police Services

Union: Exempt

Position Type: 1 Permanent

Compensation: P4L $159,120 - 198,900 per annum

Hours of work: Standard 35 hour work week.

Days of work: This position works a four-day compressed week.

Location: 5111 47 Street N.E.

Audience: Internal/External

Apply By: November 19, 2026

Job ID: 315645