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EPS’ 2023 Annual Report is designed to give 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. An update on the goals and outcomes of the the 2023-26 Strategic Plan, the report is a part of the EPS’ legislated responsibilities outlined in the provincial Police Act.
“After a particularly challenging few years, I am glad to report that the EPS is seeing progress on a number of fronts, especially when it comes to a drop in Edmonton’s crime rate,” says Chief Dale McFee. “But progress does not mean we stop or dial back our approach. In places where we have made the most noticeable strides, such as through Safer Public Spaces and enhanced transit deployment, it means we have to keep applying the same level of persistence and dedication.”
Data shows that service demands have not stopped growing, with the number of dispatched calls for service increasing from 2021 to 2023 by roughly five per cent. Despite demands, patrol has spent noticeably more time on proactive policing, which is a positive measure of greater time dedicated to crime prevention in high-crime areas.
Edmonton’s crime rate declined by 7.2 per cent compared to 2022 largely due to a drop in the non-violent crime rate. Though down overall from its peak in 2019, the severity of crime has increased from 2022 by 4.6 per cent, which highlights the importance of EPS initiatives such as Safer Public Spaces, Transit and Community Safety Teams, and the Guns and Gangs Strategy. The EPS will continue to focus on such initiatives in 2024 to drive down the frequency of high-harm violent crimes like assault and criminal offences with weapons.
The expansion of the Human-centred Liaison and Partnership Program (HELP) and the Police and Crisis Response Team (PACT) continue to make strides on connecting individuals to supports, and the Youth Services Section set a three-year high in 2023 with 322 youth diverted away from the criminal justice system.
Edmontonians are expressing higher confidence in police, with 57 per cent of citizen perception survey respondents rating the overall job of police as good or excellent compared to 51 per cent in 2022. At the same time, the number of public complaints to the EPS’ Professional Standards Branch continues to decrease year over year, dropping from 1,184 in 2022 to 1,115 in 2023. Both years totaled 177,341 and 185,997 dispatched calls for services respectively, meaning complaints were filed in less than one per cent of calls.
“We are also seeing marked improvement in our recruiting and attrition numbers, something police services across North America have been struggling with. Last year our recruit classes grew significantly and our attrition rate for all employees dropped. Not only are we attracting top talent, but we are also retaining our current talent at a much better rate, which is very encouraging,” says Chief McFee.
In addition to sharing data and progress, the report in its new online format includes a range of features designed to ensure accessibility for all users. Among these features are customizable options such as the ability to change elements like font size, contrast, and line spacing through an accessibility widget that makes the report more inclusive and user-friendly for individuals with diverse needs.
“We recognize the importance of keeping our community informed of our efforts and accomplishments while being honest about our challenges,” says Lori Lorenz, Executive Director of the EPS Value and Impact Division. “The report provides the public with a comprehensive understanding of the EPS’ role in promoting safety and building trust, while demonstrating in a clear and accessible manner how Edmontonians are getting value from their police service.”
The EPS strives to be a modern police service committed to increasing community safety and recognizes the need to demonstrate a high level of transparency by sharing relevant safety information and data with the public.
For additional information on the variety of public reports and data submitted to the Edmonton Police Commission on a regular basis, please visit edmontonpolicecommission.com/reporting.