‘We need to make sure we get it right’: Police commission looking for new Edmonton police chief

The hiring process to fill the job of Edmonton's top cop is now underway.

While former Edmonton police Chief Dale McFee takes on his new role as deputy minister of Alberta’s executive council and head of the Alberta Public Service, a search for a new chief is now underway.

Ben Henderson, chair of Edmonton’s Police Commission (EPC), said the hunt for a permanent chief will be more extensive than what they’ve done in the past.

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The commission conducted multiple surveys and more than 40 in-person engagement sessions with interested parties and community members to find out what kind of chief the city needs as it enters a new era.

“What was really encouraging was that what we heard was a lot of agreement about what people want to see in their new chief as we go forward,” said Henderson during an interview via Zoom teleconference Monday.

He said reducing crime and improving public safety are still top of mind for many people that were consulted, but transit safety and homelessness are also big concerns.

“If people don’t use transit because they don’t feel safe, that has huge impacts on the city,” said Henderson. “If they don’t go into the core of our city because they’re not feeling safe, that has huge impacts.”

But working with suburban communities with different profiles and interests could be a challenge for the new chief.

“(We want to see) commitment to community policing and a connection between the police and community and continuing to strengthen that,” said Henderson, adding that ongoing issues of transparency and accountability are also things that came up during conversations with stakeholders.

“There was a feeling that the service is moving in the right direction, and we just need somebody who’s going to keep on pushing it forward after what’s been a pretty trying five or six years for the city, particularly with the police.”

He said the COVID-19 pandemic impacted policing as well as Edmonton’s homeless population with an increase in drug use. He added that conversations around the murder of George Floyd during the pandemic “rattled” some people’s relationship with police, but he thinks it’s “well on the mend.”

Two EPS officers are currently sharing the role of interim police chief while a permanent chief is sought.

• Edmonton names 2 interim police chiefs for duration of national search for permanent candidate

“We are not going to rush it. It’s more important that we get the right person,” said Henderson. “Now that we know what we’re looking for, that magical person, if we can find them, will be fabulous. But that’s the next challenge.”

While applications are open, the commission is hoping to get a recommendation from city council, which will ratify the new chief by their last meeting in September ahead of the municipal election.

“The new chief will take the service where it’s going to go next … and we need to make sure we get it right.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Sasha Pietramala