Edmonton police and city council launching public safety review; report due late 2027

Edmonton city council and the Edmonton Police Commission held closed-door meetings last week, and the city announced Monday it will work with the Edmonton Police Service to find new ways the force and Community Service Branch can collaborate on public safety measures.

A report is due in late 2027. The city has pledged no changes to service delivery until the assessment is complete. The review will examine current practices and explore ways the city and EPS can improve coordination while protecting officers on the ground and ensuring accountable behaviour. A third party will review the findings before final publication.

EPS Chief Warren Driechel told the outlet that "the pressures we're facing when it comes to the complexity of social issues, crime, disorder and violence are only becoming more acute." He said: "We have a responsibility to assess whether our current approach is the right fit, and if not, how can we do better for Edmontonians? We are taking the time to ask the right questions, engage the right people and take a comprehensive look at what kind of model delivers the greatest benefit to the community."

Police and bylaw officers already collaborate on public transit issues and community engagement. The assessment will collect input from city and police employees and community stakeholders, and will review how other jurisdictions handle public safety collaboration. The final report will detail what is needed to maintain the status quo, ways to enhance collaboration between the city's public safety measures and police, and will include risks and costs of each organizational model along with recommendations for how to proceed. It will be presented to council late 2027.

City Manager Eddie Robar said: "By taking an objective, evidence-based look at our current public safety model, we are helping to ensure our future approach is sustainable, effective and aligned with the needs of our growing city. This assessment builds on our long-standing partnership with the Edmonton Police Service and represents a continued commitment to working together to ensure that we are delivering the safety our residents expect and deserve."

The closed-door discussions were held under Access to Information Act sections covering disclosure harmful to individual or public safety, law enforcement and intergovernmental relations. The assessment mandate, timeline, governance, engagement opportunities and non-sensitive milestones will be public, though personal information, labour information, legally privileged advice, security details and protected law-enforcement information may remain confidential.