ALERT Welcomes New Officer in Charge

Edmonton… Acting Superintendent Dwayne Lakusta of the Edmonton Police Service has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of ALERT. Lakusta will be the officer in charge of the provincially funded integrated unit, overseeing approximately 300 police officers and civilian staff.

ALERT is mandated to address organized and serious crime across Alberta, with regional offices located in Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and Red Deer. Lakusta will supervise specialized teams that work in organized crime and gangs, internet child exploitation, criminal intelligence, and law enforcement training.

“I would like to congratulate Acting Superintendent Dwayne Lakusta on his appointment to ALERT Chief Executive Officer. His wealth of experience as a veteran member of the Edmonton Police Service and long-time career in law enforcement will be a major asset to ALERT in ensuring Albertans are safe, secure and protected. I would also like to thank outgoing ALERT CEO, Superintendent Chad Coles, for his hard work and success during his tenure,” said Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General.

Lakusta is a 24-year member of the Edmonton Police Service. He previously led the Edmonton Drug and Gang Enforcement (EDGE) unit, and also previously worked as an undercover operator on drug investigations across Alberta. His first day at ALERT was August 19, 2019.

A native of Fort Saskatchewan, Lakusta had worked in a variety of specialized units within EPS, most notably homicide, professional standards, Project Kare, and as officer in charge of West Division.

Lakusta replaces Superintendent Chad Coles, who had been with ALERT since October 2014.

Since being formed in 2006, ALERT teams from across the province have made nearly 11,000 arrests, seized $610 million worth of harmful drugs, and have taken 1,200 firearms out of the hands of criminals.