“Though the world of policing has undeniably changed, we know we’re heading in the right direction,” says Chief of Police Dale McFee. “From 2019 to 2021, we’ve seen substantial decreases in the city’s crime rate, but we have more work to do. Trends we’re seeing so far in 2022 tell us we can’t afford to relax our efforts, that we need to invest resources and people in the right places to maintain our momentum and continue to improve our standing. The challenge of addressing Edmonton’s crime, disorder and victimization requires sustained effort – our communities expect and deserve nothing less.”
Recognizing the feedback heard through engagement and consultation initiatives such as the Commitment to Action and the Service’s advisory councils, the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan has an additional goal: Connect, Share, and Evolve. This goal prioritizes listening and learning to develop an understanding of the safety priorities, perspectives and changing expectations of the different communities EPS serves while allowing the public to understand the demands on the police service.
“We heard from countless community members, business owners and social agencies that there needs to be common understanding between police and those they serve. We need to bridge the gap and build on our partnerships to create value and make a meaningful impact together,” says Lori Lorenz, Executive Director of EPS’ Value and Impact Division.
This additional goal reflects a
commitment to learn from Edmontonians and continue to transform policing to
meet the needs of all community members while delivering on legal mandates
under the Police Act, Criminal Code, and Provincial Standards.
The EPS’ goals and corresponding outcomes are
identified in the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan while strategic initiatives along
with allocation of resources and expected timelines will be laid out in the
2023-2026 Business Plan, which will be published later this fall.