Info request process begins in carding review

A request for information has begun in the Edmonton Police Commission street-check review.

It’s the latest step after activists brought forward statistics showing black and Indigenous Edmontonians are disproportionately likely to be carded (asked for identification) by police.

According to a news release from the Edmonton Police Commission, the request for information will “determine the level of market interest, obtain information on methodologies to help narrow the scope of future procurement opportunities, obtain recommendations that would enhance the success of a procurement opportunity, obtain high-level cost estimates, and provide the industry with an opportunity to comment on the potential procurement opportunity.”

The closing date for people to respond to the request for information is Sept. 6.

“I’m pleased to report that we’re moving forward with the next phase of the street-check review. We want to ensure the review is done correctly, and these initial steps are extremely important as we build the foundation for this project,” said Edmonton Police Commission chairwoman Cathy Palmer in a news release issued Wednesday.

So far, only KPMG LLP has submitted a bid.

The review will include looking over current policy, determining best practices for street checks in Canada, the United States and the Commonwealth, providing an opinion on existing policies, procedures, definitions, training and method of implementation, and a review of the current compliance audit process and street-check oversight processes.