Grande Prairie, Alberta, is taking new steps to keep people in police custody safer. The Grande Prairie Police Service announced on September 17, 2026, that it is installing biometric monitoring technology in eight holding cells at 10202 99 Street, and it will continue to fund healthcare workers inside the cellblock ahead of becoming the city’s police of jurisdiction on October 21.
The new monitoring system provides continuous, contactless tracking of a detainee’s breathing, movement, and signs of medical distress. If the system detects a concerning change, it sends real-time alerts to staff so they can respond quickly to potential medical emergencies. The technology is designed to catch problems that might be missed during routine visual checks.
In addition to the monitoring equipment, the Grande Prairie Police Service will continue contracting healthcare professionals funded by Alberta’s Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction. These workers operate inside the cellblock and can connect eligible detainees with the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program. Once people are released, the police service’s Mobile Outreach team will help them access addiction treatment, housing, healthcare, and other community programs.
Chief Dwayne Lakusta says the changes are part of building a modern police service that prioritizes detainee care. The announcement comes as Grande Prairie prepares to complete its transition from RCMP policing on October 21, 2026, two years ahead of the original schedule. The new monitoring and health supports are meant to address concerns about detainee wellbeing during that changeover.
The move follows two in-custody deaths at the Grande Prairie RCMP detachment in 2021 and 2022, including the death of Addison Hartzler in June 2022. Biometric monitoring has been used by other police services in Canada. Regina Police Service adopted the technology after an in-custody death and reported that rapid early intervention saved multiple detainees’ lives within months of implementation.
