Edmonton Police Service

In honour of Women’s History Month, we are celebrating Brenda Frederick, Edmonton’s first Black female police officer. Born in Grenada, Brenda immigrated to Canada in the mid-Seventies. Her career with the Edmonton Police Service lasted from 1981 until her retirement in 2007. Over those 26 years, she served in Patrol, Document Services, Detainee Management Unit, and acted as a liaison officer between EPS and the community. She found her true calling when she joined the Zebra Child & Youth Advocacy Centre. “I became a sounding board. It was important for families to realize somebody was listening to them.” Brenda believes the service’s current efforts to recruit more members from diverse communities is a “win-win on both sides.” Looking back on her career, she says, “If I had to do it all over again, I would. There are some things I would change, but I would still do it because it was a challenge.”

CPCA National Champions! Last week teams from across the country attended Calgary for the Canadian Police Canine Association National Trials. The EPS Canine team came out on top! TOP DOG: 1 - PSD Duco 2 - PSD Beny 3 - PSD Zeus 4 - PSD Ziko 5 - PSD Bady Thank you to @calgarypolice for hosting the event. And thank you to the Edmonton Police Foundation and their donors for assisting with the purchase of our PSDs, equipment and training!

Today we welcome 47 of our newest Edmonton Police Service officers and one graduate from Lakeshore Regional Police Service. Recruit Training Class # 160 celebrates the graduation of nine women and 38 men. This class collectively speaks more than eight languages and originate from five different countries outside of Canada. Together this class brings a range of skills and education to the EPS. Each officer has their reason for joining, yet collectively share the duty to protect and serve all Edmontonians with compassion and purpose. Their careers will be rewarding, challenging and purposeful — serving our growing city of over 1 million. Join us in congratulating Recruit Training Class # 160! If you’re interested in joining the next generation of policing, connect with our recruiting team. Our next classes are scheduled for December and Spring 2025. Visit JoinEPS.ca to get started. #YEGcareer #policecareer #joineps

Recently, officers responded to a call about a woman named Lori* who was sleeping in the hallway of an apartment building. A HELP team was called in, and the Navigator and Constable went above and beyond to assist her. Lori was scheduled to fly the next day to meet her mother for a confirmed rehabilitation spot in B.C., but she had lost her identification due to an impaired driving charge. Recognizing that Lori was ready to make a change, the team took extra steps to support her. They helped her obtain photo ID at the Navigation Centre, then accompanied her to the airport, coordinating with the RCMP about her situation. After speaking with a WestJet manager, Lori's documents were certified, and her boarding pass was printed, allowing her to board the flight. Lori was set up for success and expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the assistance she received! *Name and other identifying information changed for privacy. For more stories like Lori’s, visit: https://lnkd.in/gyz6MUwh

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are honouring Annie Jackson, Edmonton’s first female police officer, and a pioneer in Canadian policing. “Miss Annie Jackson will be Edmonton’s Woman Policeman” read the headline in the Edmonton Journal. In 1912, Annie was hired by the Edmonton Police Department as a constable responsible for the welfare of girls and young women. She was one of 47 applicants for the position. Her hiring was news as far away as England. She received the same pay as her male counterparts, which was unique for the time. Annie never wore a police uniform. Instead, she had a small silver badge that gave her full police authority. This meant she could intervene directly and immediately in child protection cases. As a member of the Neglected Children’s Department, Annie investigated and supervised adoptions. She appeared in Juvenile Court for girls who had broken the law, and she acted as a parole officer. She also worked undercover to expose charlatans and cheats. Annie carried out her policing duties honorably until her marriage in 1918. The Jackson Heights community, Jackson Road, Annie May Jackson Park, and Jackson Heights School are named in her honour.

“At the age of 32, I woke up a widow.” A large gathering of people rallied in support of Wounded Warriors, all willing to bear the symbolic burden of military veterans and first responders who have succumbed to suicide. Participants marched 22 kilometres while carrying 22-kilogram rucksacks. “The reason for the 22 is that a study came out in 2005 that stated 22 veterans die by suicide every day. That number obviously is increased if we start counting firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and other emergency response personnel,” said Wounded Warriors Canada Ambassador Ian Hall. Congratulations to all those who participated!

Thank you, Edmonton! This weekend, you helped us cram our police cruisers with 8,643 pounds of food donations to support Edmonton's Food Bank. A heartfelt thanks to officers from NW, NE, SW, and West Patrol Branches, West Beats, the Healthy Streets Operation Centre, and Tactical Section. A big thank you to our community partners: Real Canadian Superstore, Maple Leaf Athletics Club, and the Edmonton Police Service for organizing Cram the Cruiser. Together, we’ve shown the power of community spirit and teamwork!

Today, the EPS School Resource Unit welcomed attendees to the Safety in Schools Conference. This two-day event brings together educators, school administrators, and law enforcement professionals from across the country. The mandate of the SRO program is to work with schools to ensure a safe and caring learning environment for students and staff. SROs are coaches and mentors. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the program in Edmonton schools.

Today we remember Constable Frank Beevers who lost his life in the line of duty on October 17, 1918. Cst. Beevers was killed while attempting to arrest a fugitive wanted for the robbery and murder of a local businessman. His selfless service and sacrifice to the citizens of Edmonton will always be remembered by our EPS family.

The EPS Cadets were proud to take part in this year’s Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Day at the Alberta Legislature. The cadets and their counterparts from the Calgary Police Service, lined the parade square as officers from across the province paid tribute to their fallen brethren. The EPS Cadet program instills a sense of community and citizenship in youth 14–18 years old. The program’s purpose is to foster leadership, citizenship, pride, discipline, and challenge, while providing youth with the foundation for a future career in law enforcement. Learn more about the Cadets program: https://lnkd.in/gZ-_Cgah