Alberta’s Police Review Commission meets with Lacombe Police

“The PRC has been up and running for five months now, and we’re starting to get a clearer picture of what people are experiencing, but there’s always more to learn about the local context.”

The meeting also included Lacombe Mayor Thalia Hibbs, Lacombe Police Commission Chair Steve Christie, and Lacombe Police Chief Jason Dobirstein.

The visit was part of a broader effort to explain the new oversight system, answer questions, and build relationships with the local leaders who work closest to policing issues in their communities, the PRC says.

“Being in community matters,” added van Rassel. “It’s how people get to know us and we get to know the community.”

Chief Dobirstein, speaking to rdnewsNOW, says he was pleased with the meeting and thought it was productive.

“They’re building something new and want feedback. They want to know how things are going, are there concerns, and how it’s being perceived,” says Dobirstein.

The biggest perspective from Lacombe Police Service is that we want to operate a police service in a professional manner, and we need to make sure that if there are concerns, we can address them. Our police are very well-trained and deal with many incidents throughout the year.”

Doberstein says his detachment receives very few complaints.

Between Dec. 1, 2025, and May 1, 2026, the PRC received almost 1,300 submissions from across Alberta. Eleven came from Lacombe, though Dobirstein notes none have required him to take any further action.

The Government of Alberta noted on Friday that Michael Ewenson, KC has been appointed to the Calgary Criminal Division and Calgary Region of the Alberta Court of Justice.

Ewenson was appointed acting executive director of ASIRT in 2021, took over permanently in 2022, and then became interim CEO of the Police Review Commission in 2025.

To learn more about the PRC and ASIRT, visit albertaprc.ca.

by Josh Hall

Alberta’s Police Review Commission meets with Lacombe Police

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