Chief of Police

Mandate

The Chief of Police is the operational leader of the Edmonton Police Service and is responsible for delivering high-performing, community-centred policing that builds and sustains public trust, enhances both actual and perceived safety, and reflects the evolving needs of a diverse and growing city. The Chief sets the tone for ethical, inclusive, and accountable leadership and must embody transparency, humility, and integrity in all internal and external interactions.

As the steward of culture, the Chief will guide the organization through continued evolution, fostering a culture of adaptability, resilience, and continuous learning at all levels of the Service. They will champion member wellness, support frontline staff in high-pressure roles, and foster unity across the organization through team-oriented leadership and consistent internal communication.

With a clear and sustained focus on community-based policing, the Chief will strengthen meaningful partnerships with community organizations, recognize the public’s desire for enhanced visibility and presence of frontline officers, and engage collaboratively with all interested parties. Understands the benefits of proactive and coordinated approach to visible social challenges such as homelessness, addiction issues, and mental health crises—prioritizing root-cause prevention, an anti-racist approach, equity and cross-sector collaboration.

The Chief is also accountable to the Commission to ensure modern, transparent, and fiscally responsible policing. This includes advancing data-informed decision-making, demonstrating clear public value for budgetary investments, and guiding the Service toward innovative, responsive models of community safety. As a visible, empathetic, and strategic leader, the Chief will play a central role in shaping a safe, inclusive, and thriving Edmonton.

Key Accountabilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to the Edmonton Police Service while ensuring alignment with both the Edmonton Police Commission and the public.
• Advance community policing initiatives prioritizing relationship-building, prevention, cultural safety, and presence in Edmonton’s diverse communities.
• Strengthen trust with Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, and other historically marginalized communities through authentic engagement and inclusive practices
• Foster an internal culture rooted in mental health & wellness, equity, diversity, inclusion and continuous learning for both sworn and civilian members.
• Lead with transparency and accountability—particularly in decisions related to enforcement, discipline, budgeting, and public communications.
• Oversee responsible stewardship of EPS’ financial, human and physical resources, ensuring fiscal accountability and operational efficiency.
• Modernize service delivery using evidence-informed strategies, data, and technology to improve safety outcomes and organizational efficiency.
• Serve as a visible, engaged, and trusted leader within EPS, and throughout the community.
• Build and sustain collaborative relationships with the Commission, the City of Edmonton, Edmonton City Council, community organizations, partner agencies, and other levels of government.

In addition to the key accountabilities above, the Police Act outlines the following duties:

Responsibilities of the Chief under the Act:

1. the preservation and maintenance of the public peace and the prevention of crime within the municipality;
2. the maintenance of discipline and the performance of duty within the police service, subject to the regulations governing the discipline and the performance of duty of police officers;
3. the day to day administration of the police service;
4. the application of professional police procedures;
5. the enforcement of policies made by the commission with respect to the police service.

Accountabilities to the Commission under the Act:

1. the operation of the police service;
2. the manner in which the chief of police carries out the responsibilities under subsection (1);
3. the administration of the finances and operations of the police service in keeping with the yearly plan or any amendments to it that the commission may make;
4. the reporting to the commission of any information concerning the activities of the police service that the commission may request, other than information concerning individual investigations or intelligence files;
5. the reporting to the commission of any complaint made against the police service or its members, the progress of any investigation or informal resolution process regarding the complaint, the reasons for any delays and the manner in which the complaint is resolved.

First-Year Deliverables / Measures of Success

Success in the first year will be determined by the candidate’s ability to:

• Build and demonstrate strong, trusted relationships with key internal and external interested parties, including but not limited to: City Council, Government of Alberta, the Commission, community organizations, advocacy groups, the Edmonton Police Association, Civic Service Union 52, partner agencies and the public at large.
• Develop and initiate an actionable plan, in partnership with other community organizations and partner agencies, to address visible social disorder, with measurable progress communicated to the public.
• Deliver a transparent, fiscally responsible budget submission aligned with operational priorities and community needs.
• Advance initiatives that enhance the well-being, engagement, and professional development of EPS members.
• Demonstrate tangible progress towards strengthening public confidence/trust in EPS.
• Embed principles of equity, diversity and inclusion, including an assessment for collection of race-based data, into all aspects of EPS’ operations and culture.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will have the following:

Education:

• Post-secondary education in a related field is preferred. Advanced degrees and additional designations are welcomed.
• Demonstrated commitment to lifelong learning and professional development within the community safety and well-being sector.
• Additional training, or demonstrated experience, in cultural competence, change management, or trauma-informed leadership is considered an asset.

Experience:

• Substantial and progressive leadership experience in a major police service or complex community safety and well-being organization.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with clarity and empathy—listening deeply, engaging thoughtfully, and approaching difficult conversations with courage, respect, and composure.
• Recent and relevant operational experience, particularly through recent societal challenges (e.g., COVID, police legitimacy movement and increasing impact of social movements/public protests), is valued.
• Proven ability to lead within politically nuanced and unionized environments, particularly with varied and intersecting priorities.
• Demonstrated success advancing organizational and cultural change that supports innovation, inclusion, and internal cohesion.
• Effective engagement and relationship-building with diverse communities and governance bodies, including a track record of building collaborative, cross-sector partnerships.
• Desired strong operational experience in policing, backed by demonstrated corporate proficiency and leadership in budgeting, resource allocation, and strategic planning.
• Direct experience addressing social challenges such as mental health, substance use, and homelessness through a community safety and well-being lens.

Additional Requirement:

• Pursuant to the Alberta Police Act, the successful applicant must be a Canadian citizen

Competencies and Attributes:

• Leads with Humility and Courage: Consistently prioritizes team success and community well-being over personal recognition and embodies the highest standards of ethical public service.
• Strategic and Analytical Thinking: Capacity to anticipate emerging trends in policing and proactively develop strategies that best serve the community's evolving needs.
• Political Acumen: Ability to navigate complex relationships with elected officials, governance or oversight organizations, and community organizations with diplomacy, tact and discretion.
• Commitment to Reconciliation & Equity: Deep understanding of systemic racism, Indigenous history, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing reconciliation and inclusion.
• Integrity and Accountability: Upholds the highest standards of ethical conduct and professionalism, taking responsibility for decisions and outcomes while modeling transparency at all levels of the organization.
• Collaboration and Relationship-building: Ability to engage with diverse parties through inclusive collaboration, thoughtful engagement, and strategic communication.
• Demonstrates Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Fosters respectful, psychologically safe environments within the organization while building trust and authentic relationships with diverse communities across Edmonton.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The Edmonton Police Commission is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse team benefits and is essential to service excellence. The Edmonton Police Commission welcomes applications from all qualified individuals.

Application Instructions:

If this opportunity excites you, please send an application including a resume and a cover letter to [email protected] with the position title and organization name in the subject line of your email.