Published on October 1, 2025
Make a Difference in Your Community
Making a difference in your community can come in many different forms, whether it is on the frontlines as a police officer, or behind the scenes on a City board or committee. One St. Albert resident has done both, and he’s been winning awards and changing lives throughout his career and “retirement.”
Ian Sanderson, a retired RCMP officer, husband and grandfather is just finishing up his second term on the St. Albert Policing Committee after serving as Chair and Vice-Chair over the years. Moving to St. Albert in 2002, he is proud to call the Botanical Arts City home.
“I’ve always been a community person, when we were moving around Alberta I was always involved in community in one way and another,” says Ian. “When I retired from the force and went into private sector, I was too busy to do anything in the local community. However, once I’d finished up my time and was looking for something to do, my wife suggested joining the Policing Committee and asked – hey is this something you’d be interested in?”
It turns out he was. Starting out on the committee during the COVID-19 pandemic meant meetings were online, however, that never slowed down the work. From the Policing Committee taking a leading role in navigating staffing shortages, wanting to ensure the local detachment had the resources it needed coming out of the pandemic, to navigating changes in legislation – it’s been a worthwhile and meaningful ride.
“We’ve played a part in ensuring community expectations are met and police are supported and have the resources they need,” says Ian.
When not volunteering his time, he is either chasing grandchildren, reading, bike riding or cross-country skiing when the weather is right.
“This is a great community, it feels like a small town,” he adds. “Services are good, schools are great, and it’s been close enough to Edmonton for universities as both our daughters went to the U of A and used St. Albert Transit to get there. It’s a great family town; we’ve even had family that have relocated here from other parts of the country.”
Not only is Ian on the St. Albert Policing Committee, but he also joined the Alberta Association of Police Governance five years ago and has recently been awarded the Partnership & Leadership Award by the Canadian Association for Police Governance (CAPG) as an individual that has provided service to the enhancement of civilian police governance in Canada.
No stranger to awards, back in 2009 Ian was also recognized with the Order of Merit of the Police Forces for his work associated with creating Alberta’s Drug Endangered Children’s Act of 2006.
“We wanted to move forward with something that would give authorities the ability to intervene in situations where children were at risk being around drug labs and grow ops. I was the technical advisor for the legislation while it was being developed and it was the first of its kind in Canada at the time,” he explains.
Helping people and giving back to the community is part of who Ian is, and when looking back on the people he’s helped, he recalls one interaction after a presentation he’d been giving in Edmonton a few years ago. An individual approached him saying they’d met during his time as an RCMP officer at a house party in Grande Prairie. Ian had had a chat with them about heading down the wrong path and needing to make some changes.
“They told me ‘I realized what you said was true. I changed my life, and I became a social worker,’” says Ian explaining how having the opportunity to hear from someone whose life he’d impacted showcased for him how he has made a tangible difference. “Police, first responders and front-line workers have interactions like this everyday and sometimes they never know that they made a difference, but they still do.”
Now working part-time as a security consultant, Ian and his wife are looking forward to upcoming travel plans as well as staying close to home with their children and grandkids to keep them busy.
“I’ll always do something, don’t care if I’m paid for it or not. Just finding things that allow you to do what you want to do. If it keeps me busy, and interested, and is the kind of work I want to do, that’s always the best,” he adds.
Looking to Give Back?
For those also wanting to give back in their own way, and are thinking of joining a committee or board, Ian’s advice is to not hesitate and simply give it a try.
“If someone is looking for a way to serve their community, apply. Give it a try. It’s a great opportunity,” he says. “Members of past and present on the committee, as well as Council, have been super supportive along the way and are always great to work with.”
Want to join a City of St. Albert board or committee? Put your passion into action, apply today at stalbert.ca/civicagencies
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Last edited: October 2, 2025