‘Real work’ starts: Edmonton police welcome dozens of new recruits to the force

A graduation ceremony was held for 42 police officers at City Hall in Edmonton on Oct. 24, 2025. (Galen McDougall/CTV News Edmonton)

Dozens of new police recruits will soon hit the streets following a graduation ceremony at city hall in Edmonton on Friday.

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The Edmonton Police Service (EPS), Lakeshore Regional Police Service, and Lacombe Police Service handed out badges and diplomas to 42 officers who successfully completed the training program. The police grads come from “all walks of life” and from as far as the United Kingdom, India and Taiwan, according to a statement from police.

“A lot of enthusiasm comes with the recruits, a lot of energy (and) a lot of different experiences,” Staff Sgt. Michael Hickey, who has served EPS for more than 24 years, said before the ceremony on Friday.

“They bring a lot of skill sets that we’re looking for here, obviously, to keep moving forward with policing the city.”

Hickey said 40 of the graduates will work with EPS and two will go to external agencies.

Const. Joshua de Hoog was one of the 42 officers who graduated from Recruit Training Class 163. He was born in Terrace, B.C., and grew up in Chico, California, before returning to Canada.

“Ever since I was about 12 years-old, I’ve wanted to be a police officer,” de Hoog said before the ceremony.

He said it has been “nerve wracking” leading to this moment after nearly seven months of training.

“I enjoy working with people that come from different diverse backgrounds and mindsets,” de Hoog said, excited to join the force. “They all bring something unique to the table, and I like to be able to pick people’s brains on how to solve certain issues.”

“Once tonight’s over, then the real work actually starts for them,” Hickey added, saying the new officers will go to their respective squads, complete field training and start serving the public.

EPS said they held more than 60 recruitment events so far this year, and have been named one of Alberta’s top employers for the fifth time.

More information about joining the force can be found at joinEPS.ca.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Galen McDougall