The 2024 Annual Report provides Edmontonians valuable information on the Service’s direction, providing statistical insight into progress on crime and community safety while highlighting efforts to serve the needs of the community. This report is a part of the EPS’s legislated responsibilities outlined in the provincial Police Act and is a reflection of the goals and outcomes of the service’s 2023-26 Strategic Plan.
“As a service, we’ve made significant headway in tackling the unacceptable levels of violence and disorder that have spiked in recent years,” says Interim Chief of Police Warren Driechel. “The 2024 crime rate was almost the lowest Edmonton has seen in nearly a decade, in part due to initiatives like safer public spaces, the Healthy Streets Operation Centre, our encampment response and its tie into the Navigation Centre, and the Guns and Gangs Strategy.”
Data shows that despite a 5.1 per cent increase in calls for service this past year, Edmonton saw an overall 1.3 per cent reduction in the city’s crime rate, and a 1.8 per cent decrease in crime severity.
“Another major victory for Edmonton in 2024 was a 47 per cent decrease in shootings compared to a 2023 marked by gun violence,” says Interim Chief of Police Devin Laforce. “Although we take pride in the reductions in crime, we recognize that by enhancing communication, fostering transparency, and upholding accountability, we can further solidify our legitimacy and deepen our connection with the communities we serve.”
Also highlighted in this year’s report are some of the significant changes to its recruitment and hiring program, resulting in a higher number of applicants in 2024. Some changes include launching a new recruitment website, conducting targeted outreach to diverse communities, and establishing the Recruit Mentoring Academy (RMA) to enhance applicants’ skills and reduce barriers for underrepresented groups.
In June 2023, the Government of Alberta committed to providing resources to hire 50 police officers in both Edmonton and Calgary to help bolster resources to tackle violent crime and disorder in the city and across transit, and the results are evident in the decreasing crime rate. EPS successfully increased its hiring numbers in part to meet this commitment, with 154 new hires in 2024.
“We understand the value of keeping our community updated and we believe the 2024 Annual Report demonstrates how committed we are to strengthening trust within our community by advancing key initiatives, celebrating meaningful achievements and addressing challenges,” says Lori Lorenz, Executive Director of the EPS Value and Impact Division. “Transparency, accountability and service continue to guide every step we take towards a safer and stronger community.”
“The Edmonton Police Commission wants public safety and community policing solutions that provide real results for our community, and the EPS’s 2024 Annual Report shows why this approach is working for Edmontonians. We were encouraged to see more frontline officers and specialized teams having a direct impact on public safety by reducing the crime rate in our city.” – Ben Henderson, Chair of the Edmonton Police Commission
In addition to the release of the 2024 Annual Report, EPS will also be hosting open houses on May 22, 27 and 29, 2025 to provide the public with an opportunity to engage EPS about community safety in Edmonton. These open house engagement sessions will give Edmontonian’s the opportunity to provide feedback that will be considered for future EPS programs and initiatives. To find out more about these engagement sessions, including where they will be hosted, please visit edmontonpolice.ca/openhouses.