ALERT Welcomes New Officer in Charge

Edmonton… Inspector Chad Coles of the RCMP has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of ALERT. Coles will be the officer in charge of the provincially funded, integrated unit that addresses organized and serious crime across Alberta.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources, including officers with Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP. ALERT’s integrated teams investigate everything from drug trafficking to child exploitation to gang violence.

“I’d like to congratulate Insp. Chad Coles on his appointment of Chief Executive Officer of ALERT. His career leading organized crime teams throughout the province, as well as more than two decades with the RCMP, will enable him to lead this vital team of specialized units. The valuable work ALERT does is an integral part of ensuring the safety of all Albertans,” said Kathleen Ganley, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General.

Coles has been with ALERT since 2015 and oversaw the regional organized crime teams based in Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and Red Deer. His appointment was made official at the ALERT Board of Directors meeting in March.

“On behalf of the ALERT Board of Directors, I wish to congratulate Insp. Coles. I know he will continue to grow ALERT, expand on the strong relationships with our policing partners, and build upon the legacy left behind by Supt. Charmaine Bulger,” said Board chair Don Johnson.

Coles is a 21-year member of the RCMP with a third of his career spent as a member of integrated units. Prior to ALERT, Coles was a member of Saskatchewan’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement unit and spent time in Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, Nipawin, and Cumberland House. Coles grew up in Moose Jaw.

Coles replaces Superintendent Charmaine Bulger, who recently retired after 35 year career with the RCMP.

Since being formed in 2006, ALERT teams from across the province have made nearly 10,000 arrests, seized $595 million worth of harmful drugs, and have taken 1,200 firearms out of the hands of criminals.

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Notice to media: High-resolution photos of Insp. Coles are available for download: Horizontal | Vertical