09/21/2026
Assessing the future of public safety in Edmonton
September 21, 2026
City of Edmonton and Edmonton Police Service to co-lead assessment of public safety support
The City of Edmonton and Edmonton Police Service (EPS) are undertaking a joint assessment of how the City’s Community Standards Branch and EPS work together.
On September 16, City Council directed Administration to begin work with EPS on a joint assessment of public safety work, which will culminate in a final report with recommendations in late 2027. Council will receive updates throughout the process, and the final report will be considered by both Council and the Edmonton Police Commission.
Across Edmonton, police, peace officers and bylaw officers already work side-by-side on a range of issues, including transit safety, community engagement initiatives and public space concerns. While these roles are governed by different mandates and authorities, they share a common purpose of helping to keep Edmontonians and visitors to our city safe.
The assessment will review the current service delivery model to identify how the City and EPS can enhance coordination, ensure clear accountability and support frontline staff. This review will examine roles and identify opportunities to improve effectiveness while ensuring frontline services remain well-supported.
Throughout this assessment period, there will be no changes to emergency response services, police operations, peace officer services, bylaw services or day-to-day responsibilities.
“Edmonton City Council has identified safety as one of its top priorities and this assessment is a direct reflection of that commitment. 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,” said City Manager Eddie Robar. “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 final assessment will consider a range of options from maintaining current structures, enhanced collaboration, as well as models that enable further integration. An independent third party will also review and validate the assessment process.
"The pressures we’re facing when it comes to the complexity of social issues, crime, disorder and violence are only becoming more acute. We have a responsibility to assess whether our current approach is the right fit, and if not, how can we do better for Edmontonians?” said EPS Chief of Police Warren Driechel. “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.”
The process will include input from employees, labour representatives, community partners and other stakeholders. It will also include a review of approaches used in other jurisdictions and independent validation of the assessment methodology. The final report will outline findings, risks, costs, opportunities and recommendations to support future decision-making.
No decisions have been made beyond undertaking the review itself. Future decisions will be made by City Council and the Edmonton Police Commission.
Media contact:
City of Edmonton
Brent Wittmeier
[email protected]
780-977-1565
Edmonton Police Service
[email protected]
