Year after year, citizen calls for police service
and assistance have been rising, placing increasing demands on frontline
officers and challenging the Edmonton Police Service to rethink the way it
operates.
Vision 2020 is an organizational review and
restructuring of existing EPS resources aimed to better manage service demands by
balancing traditional enforcement with additional social supports. It positions
EPS as a modern police service that places community well-being and safety at
the forefront, while becoming smarter and more efficient in reducing crime.
History
Vision 2020 began in early 2019 upon arrival of Chief of Police Dale McFee. Through
extensive internal consultation, EPS members identified areas of improvement
and opportunities for change that were solidified in 75 recommendations. By
late 2019, the Service began taking it’s first steps toward a new way of
operating.
Goals
At the heart of Vision 2020 and its recommendations
are three fundamental concepts:
- Maintain and
improve core policing functions that support community safety while reducing
crime, disorder and victimization.
- Further develop
relationships with external social service agencies and community partners to
support individuals to break free of the arrest-release-remand cycle and divert
them from the criminal justice system.
- Realign
organizational structure to encourage increased collaboration, efficiency and
innovation.
Work on Vision 2020 is well underway, and the
majority of the 75 recommendations are expected to be complete by early 2021.