Outgoing chief disappointed over lack of wellness centre
When Edmonton Police Service Chief Rod Knecht walks out of the downtown division’s headquarters for the last time Friday, he will do so with a nagging regret.
For the past five years, the outgoing police boss had advocated on behalf of the service to anyone who would listen that the city would benefit from a wellness centre.
Not just any centre but one offering wraparound services for people suffering from alcohol and drug addictions or mental health issues.
Its overarching principle was to serve the most vulnerable who so often get caught up in the justice system.
In late 2017, a proposal came forward for a 16-agency, $93-million hub in the empty downtown former remand centre that had room to include all the key players who offer everything from primary health care, mental health services, addiction services and detox services to housing, employment services and daycare.
It was offering essentially what Knecht had been proselytizing all along. But that plan was eventually scuttled.
Knecht used part of his farewell sit-down with the media Tuesday to again promote the virtues of that centre.
“It was a noble goal and I thought I was going to accomplish it,” he said.
“Hopefully the next chief will have greater success than I had with that particular issue. It’s a tough issue and complex issue and requires an investment of time and money and effort.”
He said over the years he received plenty of verbal support and some financial support from previous and current governments at the federal, provincial and municipal levels for the idea of a onestop-shopping centre.
“All levels of government have to be able to work better together and not be so parochial and guarded about their territory,” he said.
Knecht said the police and criminal justice system are not the solution to issues like homelessness or mental health.
“We shouldn’t be arresting these people. Police should be focused on the predators, the people who are taking advantage of those people and not those who are disadvantaged and in distress.”
Knecht became Edmonton’s 22nd chief in June 2011, replacing Mike Boyd. In 2013, the police commission extended his five-year contract until the end of October 2018.
He began his policing career with the RCMP in 1977 at age 19, and served for a time as an undercover drug enforcement officer. He was later named senior deputy commissioner of the RCMP in Ottawa, making him the most senior uniformed police officer on the national force.
Before that, he was commanding officer of K Division, in charge of operations at 108 Alberta detachments.