WHO WILL TAKE OVER?
There are advantages to both internal and external hires, commissioner says
For the first time in over a decade, an insider could have a good shot at becoming Edmonton’s next police chief.
Chief Rod Knecht told police service members Wednesday that he would be leaving when his contract comes to an end Oct. 31. The police commission announced Thursday that it was beginning a “national search” for his replacement.
Ward 6 Coun. Scott McKeen, who sits on the police commission, left the door open Thursday to looking within the organization for a new chief.
“There’s advantages to both (internal and external candidates),” he added. “But do we need to bring in fresh eyes to correct the course and vision of the Edmonton Police Service? I would say no.”
Knecht and his predecessor have come from outside the organization. Mike Boyd, a Toronto Police Service veteran, served as chief from 2006 to 2010. Knecht’s roots were in the RCMP, with some of his years at Edmonton’s K-Division.
The police commission reviewed 22 formal applications for the chief ’s job before settling on Knecht, who had over 30 years of policing under his belt at the time. Candidates this time around may include current deputy chiefs, at least one former city police officer, as well as outsiders.
A DEPUTY CHIEF?
Edmonton has three deputy police chiefs. It’s not known if any of them desire the top job.
Deputy chief Kevin Brezinski heads the community policing bureau — which includes all the service’s patrol resources. He joined the service in 1992, starting in west division’s patrol unit. He also served as an undercover operator investigating organized crime.
Brian Simpson, another deputy chief, joined Edmonton police in 2012 after a career with the RCMP with posts in Calgary, Grande Prairie and Wetaskiwin and as officer in charge of federal drug enforcement, responsible for Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer.
Deputy chief Greg Preston heads the intelligence and investigations bureau, responsible for investigating homicides, assaults and robberies, as well as analyzing crime data. The bureau is now setting up an operations and intelligence command centre.
A TRAILBLAZING FEMALE OFFICER?
Edmonton has never had a female police chief. Could former deputy police chief Danielle Campbell change that?
Campbell served as a city police officer for 27 years. She became the first female member of the service’s canine unit, working as a dog handler. She finished her career as a deputy chief — the highest post any woman has held in the Edmonton force.
She left the service in 2016 after her contract was not renewed. She is now a faculty member at MacEwan University, where she teaches criminal and investigative law, legal evidence and leadership skills.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for the community and the service,” she said Thursday of the search for a new chief.
“As far as would I throw my hat into the race? That’s a decision I wouldn’t enter into lightly,” she said, adding she will have to first discuss the opportunity with family.
OUTSIDE OPTIONS
Dale McFee: Currently a deputy minister in Saskatchewan, McFee, who is Métis, was in the running for Toronto police chief after distinguishing himself as chief of the Prince Albert Police Service. Peter Sloly: Also passed over for the top job with Toronto police, Sloly joined consulting firm Deloitte Canada in 2016.
Deputy commissioner Kevin Brosseau: In charge of contract and Aboriginal policing with the RCMP. He started his RCMP career in Edmonton.
Assistant commissioner Kevin Jones: Jones is the RCMP’s director general of workforce culture and employee engagement, overseeing the force’s diversity, inclusion and gender-based analysis committees.
Devon Clunis: Currently retired from policing, Clunis was Canada’s first black police chief when he took over the Winnipeg Police Service in 2012