Latest news with #BenHenderson
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Public engagement shapes Edmonton police commission's search for a new police chief
Social Sharing Edmonton's police commission has launched its national search for a new police chief after asking Edmontonians to share their priorities for the future head of the city's police service. After former police chief Dale McFee announced he would be retiring, the commission appointed two interim chiefs, Devin Laforce and Warren Driechel, in February. A job ad for the position was posted Monday on a leadership recruitment company's website. Chair Ben Henderson said the commission, which provides governance and oversight of the Edmonton Police Service, hopes to recommend someone to city council before the October election. Henderson said the commission conducted about 30 interviews with individuals and groups, inside and outside EPS, to find out what people want from a new police chief. The commission also examined the results of two surveys — one run by the research company Leger and another by the City of Edmonton. Henderson said commissioners feared the engagement would reveal differing opinions between groups, but instead similar desires emerged: reducing crime, committing to community-based policing, increasing accountability, improving officers' wellness and collaborating with others. "Ultimately, I hope that process is going to make people feel like this is their chief and that they've had a hand in that selection, and hopefully we can get someone that they feel is theirs," he said. The future police chief will lead an organization with approximately 2,000 sworn officers and 1,000 professional staff. McFee held the role since 2019. The job posting says the successful candidate's first-year deliverables include developing a plan to address social disorder, delivering a fiscally responsible budget submission and building strong relationships with city council, the provincial government and other groups. Strengthening trust with marginalized communities and modernizing service delivery are among the role's "key accountabilities." "I think really building a good relationship with the rank and file within the service and getting their trust is a huge piece of what a chief's job has to be, and it's not always easy, and I think the other one is creating really going strong relationships with all those groups that you have to work with," he said. Bryce Jowett, president of Civic Service Union 52, said the union's members who work in civilian positions for EPS want a police chief who will lead with respect and transparency. He said members are looking for recognition, mental health and wellness support, work-life balance and flexible work arrangements.
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
‘We need to make sure we get it right': Police commission looking for new Edmonton police chief
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. 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. '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
