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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.