Calgary Police Chief Takes Firm Stand Against Urban Disorder
Calgary Police Chief Katie McLellan has delivered a blunt message to citizens and criminals alike: the streets will not be surrendered to lawlessness. In a recent interview, McLellan rejected what she called "politically correct drivel" and vowed to maintain aggressive enforcement against social disorder in the city's core.
No Acceptance of the Unacceptable
McLellan, appointed to her position less than a year ago, recounted a recent meeting with police chiefs from other cities where she witnessed firsthand the consequences of accepting urban disorder as inevitable. "They told me they just learned to accept it and live with it," McLellan revealed. "When I asked about public reaction, they said people don't like it but believe nothing can be done."
The Calgary police chief made it clear this defeatist attitude has no place in her city. "That is not going to be the attitude here," she declared. "We are here. At the end of the day I can't keep hearing: someone should do something about this."
Operation Order: A Show of Force
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Calgary police demonstrated their commitment through Operation Order, a coordinated enforcement blitz in the city's downtown core. Police officers, peace officers, and Alberta Sheriffs converged on the Beltline neighborhood near an infamous drug site, issuing 'Community Court' tickets to unhoused individuals encamped outside the Drop-In Centre.
Rather than imposing traditional fines, this innovative approach requires individuals to appear in community court, where they may be redirected to social programs or resources. The operation represented what McLellan called "a full court press from those committed to law and order, to helping individuals who need help while doing what needs to be done with the bad actors."
Addressing Root Causes and Consequences
McLellan acknowledged the complex nature of urban disorder while refusing to sugarcoat the reality. "I don't want people to think the sky is falling but we're in dire straits," she stated. The police chief emphasized that Calgary's growth has brought "more big city problems" that require proportional responses.
"Our job is to keep this city safe," McLellan explained. "You have to do that with people and people cost money." She reported that most citizens she speaks with want "more boots on the ground" and timely responses to calls for assistance.
Political Accountability and Public Awareness
The police chief didn't shy away from criticizing political leadership, noting that "politicians failed us" while neighborhoods deteriorated. She called on city council to prioritize funding for additional police officers, suggesting this should take precedence over what she termed "stupid schemes" from city hall.
McLellan warned that Calgarians would be "gobsmacked" if they fully understood the extent of daily criminal activity in their city. Despite this sobering assessment, she remains committed to transparency and action. "We are stepping in. We are doing something," she affirmed. "We will not take our foot off the gas. We will continue to put the pedal to the metal."
This firm stance represents a departure from approaches in other jurisdictions where police have reportedly accepted disorder as unavoidable. McLellan's message signals a determined effort to reclaim Calgary's public spaces through both enforcement and innovative approaches to community safety.
