Our Commitment to Action

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Consultation has concluded

Following the death of George Floyd, Edmonton City Council held public hearings to better understand how Edmontonians viewed police-community relationships. The response at the hearings highlighted the tenuous nature of police-community relationships in Edmonton, and that a segment of the Edmonton population has historically not felt seen, heard or protected by police. Overall the need for an equitable, restorative and on-going approach came to the forefront.

“Commitment to Action” is the Edmonton Police Service's plan to move forward. We are creating space for extensive engagement with communities - communities we haven’t always heard from or or truly listened to. At the same time we are creating space to listen, we also want to start working with the community to action and implement the necessary changes we hear are required. This is not simply just another consultation or listening campaign, we want to move into action and change immediately. That is our commitment.

Following the death of George Floyd, Edmonton City Council held public hearings to better understand how Edmontonians viewed police-community relationships. The response at the hearings highlighted the tenuous nature of police-community relationships in Edmonton, and that a segment of the Edmonton population has historically not felt seen, heard or protected by police. Overall the need for an equitable, restorative and on-going approach came to the forefront.

“Commitment to Action” is the Edmonton Police Service's plan to move forward. We are creating space for extensive engagement with communities - communities we haven’t always heard from or or truly listened to. At the same time we are creating space to listen, we also want to start working with the community to action and implement the necessary changes we hear are required. This is not simply just another consultation or listening campaign, we want to move into action and change immediately. That is our commitment.

Your stories matter please tell them here

Please think about the following when you tell your stories.

  • How has your community, family or life been affected by policing?
  • What has motivated you to share your experiences with us today?
  • What more than anything do you want us know about your life and that of your friends and family?

Thank you for sharing your story with us. EngagementHQ (external to EPS) moderators will review your story and post it soon. Please note, moderators are only looking for compliance with the Terms of Use (https://commitmenttoaction.ca/terms).

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Skyrattler Heart for Neighbours

    by JeffSieben, over 3 years ago

    When 3-5 police cars show up (once a month) to the subsidized housing in Skyrattler, many of us as onlookers have no idea what we can do to help. Approaching police officers while they are engaged in a call doesn't seem safe or good. I'd love if an EPS member waved their hand to call the onlookers over, and ask them for help. Or if there's a social worker attending, have them walk across the street to the community and engage them in conversation. Our neighbours have a heart to share life with each other, but we don't know how... Continue reading

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Current policing structure is flawed.

    by Ken Braget, over 3 years ago
    In the EPS today, one the least desirable positions to hold is that of, Patrol Constable. When you start out your career, the first thing you want to do is work your way out of Patrol and into a specialized unit. Generally, the good Police Officers get selected for these positions, leaving the less skilled Police Officers on the front line to deal directly with the public. Some of the problems we see within the communities is the fact that the best officers are hiding in a van doing surveillance and not using their skills to properly manage community issues... Continue reading
  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Social Action, Advocacy, Education about police conduct and how to progress...

    by Cameron, over 3 years ago

    I wish I could say that my past interactions with EPS were mostly positive. Unfortunately I can't.

    Most interactions with ANY people in uniforms have been primarily defensive or adversarial.

    In the past 3 months I have seen both sides of policing.

    Although several officers have reached out to me personally I still had to watch others in uniforms berate and humiliate a senior citizen from our street community in public, release a violent perpetrator and arrest the person who called in the crime because they had warrants because of an LRT fine, harshly condescend, bully and even threaten a... Continue reading

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Queen Elizabeth Highschool Students (Engl 30-2 Oct14)

    by Queen E Highschool Students, over 3 years ago

    What more than anything do you want us know about your life and that of your friends and family?

    • "I am an immigrant and have been living in Canada for 6 years. During those 6 years, i faced no discrimination and feel welcome in Canada"
    • "I am a recent immigrant to Canada and I've felt like I didn't belong in the community. But, over the years I've changed my views and start to feel i am part of the community. "
    • "Although regret haven't been many negative incidents with my family, there have been unjustified actions towards people I know... Continue reading
  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Carding

    by janemagda, over 3 years ago
    Hi - I'm a single middle-aged white woman who lives in McCauley. I haven't personally had issues with police, and have appreciated the ways they've helped me in problematic situations.


    I also believe that carding should stop. I have read numerous statements and accounts by people talking about racism and classism inherent in carding. I don't believe that carding results in an increased feeling of safety for me, and I know it doesn't for people in my neighbourhood.

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Mental Health Inequality

    by LillyWinchester13, over 3 years ago

    I moved to Edmonton 10 years ago. In the words of my mother, I was "vibrant, outgoing and bubbly" much of that is gone now.
    Over the last 4 years, I have had numerous encounters where I have asked the EPS for help, the discrimination ranged from simple disregard of how I pronounce my name to full-on denial of service due to the number of calls. The most serious of all is in 10 years the EPS has failed in the shutting down of a "thorn in the city's side" which is contributing to the exploitation of vulnerable indigenous communities... Continue reading

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Edmonton Police and Inside Computer Hacking

    by TheyWentWayTooFar, over 3 years ago
    I quickly moved to EDM and I had to find a place to stay. So I rented a suite from a man who was becoming a Police Officer.


    He came home one day, from the Police Academy and he said there's a web site that anyone can go on, and buy illegal computer code. He said that they have illegal computer code for EVERYTHING. This Const. told me that he and his buddies were buying illegal software and putting it on the Edmonton Police computers.


    So, if you make an Emergency call and it takes them a few days to... Continue reading

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    "Homeless. Now housed."

    by Sandra, over 3 years ago
    "Causaian, G.M.C.C. educated, 57 year old female housed in a homeless shelter for two years."

    So, how did that happen? Not from drugs or alcohol, but from extreme depression after my last closest relative died.

    I was dropped off at the doorstep of Dwayne's Home on Christmas Eve, 2012. I lived and worked there in the kitchen for those years, getting to know each tenant by name. I was there for the fire. I was there when Amber went missing, etc .

    While there we "loved" having the 'beat police' pull up on their bikes and stop in to check... Continue reading