The past year marked a period of significant transition for EPS, including the appointment of Warren Driechel as Chief of Police. A nearly 30-year member of the Service and the first internal chief appointed in two decades, Chief Driechel’s well-established institutional knowledge and understanding of community priorities supported accelerated progress in 2025.
Notably, results from the 2025 Citizen Perception Survey indicate that EPS saw the first significant improvement in perceived public safety since 2020, with 70 per cent of Edmontonians feeling safe in their communities after dark. Up from 65 per cent in 2024 and 67 per cent in 2023, this marks a meaningful positive shift reflective of the many initiatives outlined in this report, one that EPS hopes to improve upon further in years to come.
Calls for service continued to rise for a third consecutive year, rising by 4.3 per cent. While some growth reflects Edmonton’s increasing population, the majority of the 2025 increase stemmed from officer-generated activity. Public-generated calls increased by 1.7 per cent, while officer-generated calls rose by 19.9 per cent, demonstrating a more proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues before they escalate or require public reporting.
“Our approach to policing in Edmonton is shifting. The old call-and-respond model no longer fits the needs of our community,” said Chief Warren Driechel. “We cannot expect sustained progress if we are spending more time responding to crime than preventing it. The complexity of the safety challenges facing our city requires officers to be visible in the community, engaged with residents, and focused on addressing concerns early.”
EPS continued to strengthen recruitment and training in 2025, expanding outreach to diverse communities and reducing barriers for underrepresented applicants. Recruitment Section Services (RSS) hosted more than 60 events and increased engagement with community groups, schools, and post-secondary institutions, with a strengthened focus on Indigenous outreach in partnership with the Equity, Inclusion & Human Rights Branch. Efforts to modernize recruitment included enhanced technology, public feedback, and targeted initiatives such as Women in Policing, the Athlete to Officer Program, and the Experienced Officer Program. These efforts contributed to EPS being named one of Alberta’s Top Employers in 2025 for the fifth time overall, reflecting the professionalism and commitment of its employees, both sworn and civilian.
The 2025 Annual Report provides Edmontonians with meaningful insight into the Service’s direction, including statistical information on crime trends and community safety, as well as the strategies being used to support a safer city. This report is a part of the EPS’ 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.“The Annual Report is one of the most important tools we have to demonstrate transparency and accountability to the public, says Lori Lorenz, Senior Executive Director, Strategic Management & Financial Oversight. “By clearly outlining our priorities, performance, and progress, the report helps Edmontonians understand how EPS is evolving to meet emerging community safety challenges. It also ensures the community needs and outcomes remain the centre of our strategic decision-making.”
“The EPS continues to be in good fiscal health, and the Commission is pleased to see the police service making prudent investments in public safety throughout our city. Having a police service focused on reducing crime and improving public safety is an approach that keeps the EPS trending in the right direction, and Edmontonians are benefiting from the results we see in the Annual Report. We look forward to seeing further improvement from our police service to enhance public safety for all Edmontonians in the coming year.” – Ben Henderson, Chair of the Edmonton Police Commission.Building on the momentum outlined in the 2025 Annual Report, EPS is focused on what comes next. The Service will continue expanding its Crime Management Program while developing the 2027–2030 Strategic Plan, ensuring priorities are data driven, evidence based, and aligned with community expectations. These efforts will help strengthen public safety, enhance accountability, and deliver measurable results into the future.