April 10, 2024
Thirteen new Community Peace Officer recruits received orders to serve Edmonton communities with integrity and compassion at a graduating ceremony at City Hall today.
The City’s newest recruits received their certificates as graduates of the Community Peace Officer Induction Program, Class #24-01. Eight of the new officers will join City of Edmonton ranks with three supporting the Transit Safety Team, four going to Animal Care and Control, and one becoming a part of Edmonton's Downtown Safety Team.
Five of the new recruits will be deployed for service in other organizations and municipalities in Alberta including the University of Alberta, NAIT, Spruce Grove, Yellowhead County and Drayton Valley.
“I am thrilled to welcome our new Community Peace Officers to active duty and wish them success in their work,” said David Jones, Branch Manager of Community Standards and Neighbourhoods. “These recruits have trained hard to earn their certificates today and I know they will fulfill their obligations to serve with great professionalism and empathy and make our communities stronger and safer.”
The new Community Peace Officers received eight weeks of training regulated by the provincial Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services. City of Edmonton Peace Officers are trained in Indigenous awareness, mental health awareness, de-escalation techniques and in how best to work with youth and Edmontonians experiencing homelessness.
In 2022, the City of Edmonton made the
30x30 pledge to increase the recruitment, retention, and promotion of women in law enforcement in its Community Standards and Neighbourhoods Branch to at least 30 per cent by the year 2030. Four of the thirteen new recruits in class #24-01 are women, and the City continues to promote inclusivity among its ranks to ensure its enforcement teams bring varied backgrounds and experiences reflecting the incredible diversity of the city as they interact with Edmontonians every day.
Peace Officers hail from various backgrounds and play a valuable role in keeping Edmonton safe, pleasant, and enjoyable by protecting and enhancing community standards through enforcement and partnering with associations, schools and not-for-profits to educate the public about city bylaws.
