Edmonton police say more people interested in joining force after deaths of officers
A senior officer says more people are interested in joining the Edmonton Police Service after two constables were killed responding to a call on March 16.
Acting Deputy Chief Kellie Morgan told a news conference Wednesday that police agencies across the country have been experiencing recruitment issues over the last few years.
“Since this horrible tragedy happened, we have actually had an increase in people looking to apply to the EPS, which I think is incredible,” said Morgan.
“And it speaks to the people who are now stepping up, who perhaps have had the calling to be a police officer and to have a life of service to the community.”
Edmonton police media adviser Cheryl Voordenhout said in an email that the service has noticed a small rise in interest from people about joining, but it's impossible to pinpoint the cause.
She said the police service received 140 applications in the first quarter of 2023, 50 of which came in March alone. In 2022, those numbers were 130 applications for the first quarter of the year, 30 of which were received in March.
“It is still early, and there is no way to say with certainty what the cause is for the increase, but we can state that recruiting has increased marginally.”
Const. Brett Ryan and Const. Travis Jordan were killed by a 16-year-old boy after responding to a family dispute in northwest Edmonton.
The boy also shot his mother, who remains in hospital, before killing himself with the gun. The shootings are still under investigation.
On Monday, a regimental funeral was held for Ryan and Jordan that was attended by thousands of officers from across Canada and the United States, as well as emergency medical services and fire department members.
During the Wednesday press conference, Morgan and Edmonton Police Association president Curtis Hoople detailed the mental health resources that are available to officers and their families.
Hoople and Morgan both thanked the community for their ongoing support.
“It was magic,” said Hoople of the regimental funeral.
Quebec provincial police Sgt. Maureen Breau was fatally stabbed Monday night during an arrest.
Morgan said her death has added to the grief in Edmonton and that officers in the city stand with Quebec police during their time of mourning.
“Just like every other police agency across Canada and into the United States supported us, and were there for us because it gave us the strength, the resilience, to get through this together, we will also offer those same supports to them as well,” she said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 29, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.