Media Releases

During Pedestrian Safety Month's "Operation 24 Hours," police issue 634 traffic violations

16 Oct 2026 21:31:15 UT

Edmonton Police Service (EPS) officers and City of Edmonton automated enforcement issued a total of 634 traffic violations during the most recent Operation 24 Hours.

The violations were issued over a 24-hour period on October 9, 2026. Of the total traffic violations:

183 were for speeding
31 were for distracted driving
61 were hazardous moving violations
284 were non-hazardous Traffic Safety Act infractions (e.g. equipment or document related)
70 were automated red light violations

In addition, five Criminal Code driving charges, including impaired driving and disqualified driving, were laid as a result of vehicle stops during this time.

Six vehicles were clocked doing 50 or more km/h over the speed limit, including one driver caught travelling 199 km/h on Anthony Henday Drive near Yellowhead Drive. The 32-year-old male driver was issued a mandatory court summons for speeding and careless driving.

Police are also investigating two major injury collisions involving pedestrians that occurred on October 9, one at 23 Avenue and 110 Street, where a Mazda operated by a 73-year-old female struck another vehicle, causing it to ricochet into an 85-year-old male pedestrian, who suffered broken bones. The other collision occurred at 34 Street and 43 Avenue, where a BMW operated by a 20-year-old male ran a red light and struck two pedestrians, a 33-year-old female and a 35-year-old male, sending both pedestrians to hospital with serious injuries.

“October is Pedestrian Safety Month, and sadly, we have seen a number of pedestrians seriously injured and even tragically killed in recent weeks,” says Staff Sergeant Mike Wasylyshen, with the EPS’ Specialized Traffic Section. “There is no excuse for speeding, distracted driving or other high-risk behaviours. We will continue to focus our enforcement efforts on those who put other road users at risk.”

EPS is reminding drivers that dangerous driving isn’t just illegal, it’s deadly. For local stories, data, and resources about traffic fatalities and injury collisions, visit DeadSeriousYEG.com.

Operation 24 Hours is one of several joint enforcement campaigns conducted year-round by EPS and the City of Edmonton to reduce high-risk behaviours and improve road safety.

Charges laid in tent slashing at Heritage Festival

14 Oct 2026 22:30:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has charged a man in relation to a tent slashing that occurred at the Heritage Festival.

On Aug. 3, 2026, at approximately 3 p.m., a male reportedly climbed the metal security fencing around the Israel pavilion at the Edmonton Heritage Festival and cut the tent with a knife. Security guards apprehended the suspect until on-site EPS members arrived and arrested him.

The EPS Hate Crimes Unit conducted a thorough investigation and found insufficient evidence to indicate that the crime was motivated by hate.

Abdimalik Jama, 29, has been charged with mischief under $5,000 and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. He was released on an Undertaking with conditions not to possess knives or other edged weapons.

Police investigating fatal collision

14 Oct 2026 20:37:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is investigating a fatal collision that occurred on 97 Street last night.

On Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, at approximately 8:55 p.m., a 2004 Yamaha YZFR6 motorcycle was racing at a high rate of speed with an unknown BMW vehicle northbound on 97 Street from 118 Avenue. The 18-year-old operator of the Yamaha mounted the curb on the east side of 97 Street and continued on the sidewalk before striking a bus shelter at approximately 120 Avenue that contained multiple people waiting for the bus.

The bus shelter occupants included a 21-year-old male who was transported to hospital by paramedics but sadly, was pronounced deceased. A 46-year-old male and an 18-year-old female sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries, and her 10-month-old son sustained serious and potentially life-threatening injuries. They were also all transported to hospital by paramedics.

The motorcycle operator Kaeden Piccolo, 18, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to hospital by paramedics. He is subsequently being charged with dangerous operation causing death and three counts of dangerous operation causing bodily harm.

The EPS Major Collision Investigations Section (MCIS) is investigating the collision and is seeking witnesses to the collision or any information on the BMW involved.

Police charge man with sexual assault at day home

14 Oct 2026 19:22:45 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has charged a man in the sexual assault of a minor at a day home, and investigators believe there may be other victims who have yet to come forward.

In October 2026, police received a report of a 2022 sexual assault of a child at Shining Stars day home, a private, unlicensed day home in the area of 50 Street and 101 Avenue. The home is not affiliated with any other Edmonton childcare facilities of the same name.

On Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, Michael Doucette, 54, was arrested and charged with sexual assault, sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching in relation to the 2022 incident. Doucette resided at the home and assisted with childcare duties.

Michael Doucette, 54

The day home opened in 2011, and is no longer in operation.

Investigators believe there may be additional individuals who have not yet come forward, and are asking them to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.

Police Crime Treatment Zones show promising reduction in central Edmonton crime

14 Oct 2026 14:10:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) continues to see a reduction in crime and violence thanks to its focus on visible enforcement, intelligence‑led deployments and data‑driven decision‑making in public spaces.

In May of this year, EPS outlined its Safer Edmonton initiative to tackle continuing concerns with disorder and crime citywide. An ongoing policing standard, Safer Edmonton involves strategically deploying resources to areas within each police division where calls for service are highest and uses a data driven approach to determine exactly where and when these resources are needed.

“Edmontonians and our many business and community partners have made their concerns clear: they want a safer Edmonton,” says EPS Police Operations Chief Devin Laforce. “We hear you and we see how issues such as open-air drug use, violence and petty property crime have contributed to ongoing social disorder and community safety concerns. We are pleased to report that results from our summer initiative in the central core indicates that our visible, targeted policing approach is making a difference.”

From Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, 2026, the Downtown Branch Crime Treatment Zone saw average crime severity decrease by 13.6 per cent compared to the same period in 2025. Similarly, during the same time, public generated calls for service dropped 7.6 per cent compared to 2025, while officer-generated calls increased by 42.5 per cent, a number primarily linked to proactive police engagement in the zone. During this period, disorder calls accounted for 49.5 per cent of all calls for service in Downtown Branch, which also decreased from 54.5 per cent during the same period in 2024 and in 2025.

“These trends continue to suggest what we expected: concentrated reactive and proactive enforcement, along with prevention and support from our partners, is helping us focus resources on the people, places and issues that are driving the crime and disorder in central Edmonton,” says Laforce. “As we continue to expand our Crime Treatment Zones across the city, we want our central communities to know we will not be disappearing from the core and plan to continue this work in downtown areas where our data indicates it is needed most.”

"Throughout the summer, our member businesses consistently reported positive interactions with community-based officers on foot and bicycle patrol. The officers' visible presence, accessibility, and engagement with businesses, visitors, and vulnerable individuals helped strengthen public confidence and complemented the ongoing work of Downtown Beats teams,” says James Robinson, Executive Director of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association.

"This progress belongs to our officers and staff, who have invested an extraordinary amount of effort into making Edmonton safer. Every day, they are building relationships, addressing complex social and public safety challenges, and working to improve the quality of life for Edmontonians. While we can’t lose sight of the challenges that remain, these results demonstrate the impact that sustained focus and action have on public safety,” says EPS Chief Warren Dreichel.

With the ongoing success of Safer Edmonton in the central core, the EPS has already begun similar targeted enforcement in various Crime Treatment Zones around the city, which is expected to continue indefinitely as part of its everyday community policing approach. While resources are finite and officers cannot be in all places at all times, the public can expect to see a more visible police presence in key identified crime zones in their communities, such as the Stony Plain Road area in west Edmonton. Resource sharing across the service will take place to address this enforcement and meet policing demands.

Overall, West Branch has noted a 17 per cent reduction in violent crime year to date, a number that is linked to enforcement in areas such as Butler Park, located near Stony Plain Road and 157 Street. On Sept. 30, 2026, police were called to the park for a violent assault that left a man with life-threatening injuries. Thanks to ongoing enforcement in the area, the unknown group of assailants were quickly identified by officers, and one male has since been charged and remanded.

“Stony Plain Road has been an ongoing concern for crime, disorder and drug use, particularly in and around Butler Park, which serves as a major transit hub for the area,” says Inspector Trevor Bohachyk with EPS West Division. “Our officers have been concentrating their efforts in this Crime Treatment Zone for some time, working closely with community, business and the City of Edmonton on strategies that may assist in this area. With ongoing enforcement, we hope to see similar results to the downtown core.”

Though the decrease in violent crime severity is promising and improvements in disorder within crime treatment zones are notable, EPS recognizes that there is still work to do.

“All crime types, whether violent or not, contribute to the broader perception of safety in our communities,” says Inspector Jason Altmiks with the EPS Crime Management Branch. “While some communities continue to struggle with safety impacts and disorder created by the opioid crisis, others feel unsafe due to ongoing property crime or traffic concerns. The Safer Edmonton approach is designed to identify and address these unique community challenges so everyone can feel a sense of safety and pride in where they live.”

Ongoing updates on the Safer Edmonton initiative can be expected in the coming months. Until then the EPS would like to remind citizens to continue to report concerns in their area.

“Reporting crime is what drives the data we use to target our enforcement,” says Laforce. “At the end of the day, calling police or reporting online, even for something that may seem minor, may provide pivotal information for police investigations and resourcing and is a way for everyone to play a role in creating a safer Edmonton.”

Missing 83-year-old woman located safe

13 Oct 2026 02:27:05 UT

The missing 83-year-old woman from this weekend has been located safe. Thank you to the media and the public for your assistance.

Man charged following reported sexual assaults in Greenfield

09 Oct 2026 15:16:33 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has charged a 50-year-old man following several reported incidents of sexual assault in the Greenfield neighbourhood.

On Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, police responded to reports of a male approaching women in the Greenfield area and making sexually explicit comments as well as unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature. Officers located and arrested the male a short time later.

Richard Boyd, 50, has since been charged with sexual assault, indecent act and resisting arrest.

Investigators believe there may be additional complainants and are asking anyone who may have had a similar experience with Boyd, or who may have information or video relevant to the investigation to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.

Support is available for those affected by sexual violence though local sexual assault support services or through the EPS’ Crime and Trauma Informed Support Services.

Staff Sergeant Paul Looker named 50th Kiwanis Top Cop

09 Oct 2026 13:00:00 UT

Lifelong volunteer Staff Sergeant Paul Looker has been named the latest Kiwanis Top Cop for his commitment to serving others well beyond the uniform.

A police officer for more than three decades, Looker has devoted much of his personal time to coaching and leading youth basketball and rugby programs, mentoring young people, supporting literacy initiatives, and helping others realize their potential.

Today, he serves as President of the St. Albert Rugby Football Club and continues to coach at the school, club and representative levels. His involvement in youth sports stretches back nearly two decades and has helped create opportunities for hundreds of young athletes while promoting teamwork, resilience and sportsmanship.

“Paul impressed our selection committee not only through the extent of his volunteer service, but through the genuine impact he has had on so many young people,” says Beverly Levis, President of the Edmonton Oil Capital Kiwanis Club.

“Kiwanis has deep roots in our community, and we are proud to recognize people who share that commitment to giving back. Paul truly represents the spirit of the Top Cop Award.”

That impact was reflected in the many letters and messages submitted in support of Looker's nomination from fellow police officers, coaches, educators, parents and young athletes.

They described a mentor who believes in people, builds confidence and gives generously of his time without seeking recognition. One young athlete wrote that Looker continued to believe in and encourage her even when she doubted herself.

Looker's commitment to youth also extends to his work with EPS. He played an important role in the return of School Resource Officers to Edmonton Public Schools, helping foster positive environments where students feel safe and supported. He has also volunteered numerous evenings and weekends with the EPS Cadet Program, helping young people develop leadership, teamwork and a commitment to community service.

“Paul is someone who gives his best both in policing and in the community, and he does it without expecting anything in return,” says Police Chief Warren Driechel.

“For 50 years, Top Cops have quietly made a difference in the lives of others, and Paul is a deserving addition to that remarkable legacy.”

The Top Cop Award was created through a partnership between the Kiwanis Edmonton Oil Capital Club and the Edmonton Police Service to recognize the community service of police officers outside their regular duties.

The first award was presented in 1976 to Staff Sergeant Joe Dumonceaux for his involvement with minor hockey and the community. Half a century later, the award continues to celebrate EPS members who volunteer their time to strengthen the community.

As part of the recognition, the Edmonton Oil Capital Kiwanis Club will donate $1,000 to the St. Albert Rugby Football Club, Looker's chosen non-profit organization, helping extend the impact of his volunteer service.

For more information about the Edmonton Oil Capital Kiwanis Club, please visit www.oilcapitalkiwanis.ca.

Public information and warning: violent sexual offender released

08 Oct 2026 15:31:56 UT

In the interests of public safety, the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is issuing the following warning: Denzel Dre Colton Bird, 30 is a convicted violent sexual offender who will be residing in the Edmonton area. Based on information available to the Edmonton Police Service, Bird is assessed as presenting a significant risk of harm to members of the community.

In June 2018, Bird was convicted of the aggravated sexual assault of a female who was not known to him. Charges in that matter were laid by Lethbridge Police Service.

The EPS has learned that upon his release, Bird will reside in Edmonton. The Correctional Service Canada will be supervising Bird on Statutory Release. Bird is bound by conditions, including the following:

Not to consume, purchase or possess alcohol.
Not to consume, purchase or possess drugs, other than prescribed and over the counter medication.
Not to associate with any person he knows or has reason to believe is involved in criminal activity, gangs and/or the substance abuse subculture.
10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew except for employment, vocational or educational training and/or spiritual and cultural activities, with his parole supervisor's written agreement.
Reside at a designated facility approved by the Correctional Service of Canada.
Immediately report all relationships and friendships with females, and any changes to the status of those relationship/friendships, to his parole supervisor.

Anyone with any information about Bird’s conduct while in the community can contact the EPS at 780-423-4567.

The Edmonton Police Service is issuing this information and warning after careful deliberation of related issues, including privacy concerns, in the belief that it is clearly in the public interest to inform members of the community.

Denzel Dre Colton Bird, 30

Height: 5’7”

Weight: 137 lbs

Eyes: Brown

Hair: Black

Members of the public are advised that the intent of this process is to enable citizens to take suitable precautionary measures. Releasing this information is NOT intended to encourage people to engage in any form of vigilante action.

Edmonton Police Service joins 30 Forward Pledge

07 Oct 2026 19:30:00 UT

Today, Oct. 7, 2026, the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) signed the 30 Forward Pledge, a national initiative dedicated to building a more inclusive future that focuses on recruiting and retaining women in the Service’s ranks.

“Our sworn police service is currently made up of about 22% women, representing almost all ranks within the organization, right up to Deputy Chief,” says Chief Warren Driechel. “I signed the 30 Forward Pledge today to show my commitment, and that of our service, to increasing this number beyond 30%, with the future vision of seeing many more of those women advance to positions of leadership throughout their careers with us.”

Gender diversity in policing brings a broader range of perspectives and experiences, enriches the information and ideas available within police services, and ultimately supports more effective, innovative and inclusive decision-making.

Over the past five years, the EPS has maintained an average of about 23% women in its ranks. The 30 Forward Pledge not only reaffirms the Service’s commitment to recruiting more women, but also aims to identify and address any cultural or systemic barriers that could affect the promotion and retention of women within the organization.

The Edmonton Police Service is one of several police organizations across the country committing to the 30 Forward Pledge.