The Edmonton Police Commission has refused to participate in an internal audit and program review requested by city councillors, setting the stage for a potential showdown at an upcoming council meeting.
In December 2023, councillors approved a motion asking the commission for an audit plan that would outline which parts of the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) are being audited and provide insight into policing priorities.
However, in a letter sent to councillors on April 19th, 2024, the commission stated that it will not provide the requested information or undertake a program review. The commission argued that it already has an auditor and owns the audit function, and that sharing that responsibility with city council is not supported by the board.
The commission’s decision has disappointed councillors, who argue that the public needs more transparency about EPS priorities. Coun. Keren Tang, who introduced the motion in December, said she was “very disappointed” by the commission’s refusal to provide the requested information.
“To not come to the table to have a conversation, to me, is disappointing,” Tang said.
Coun. Jo-Anne Wright and Coun. Anne Stevenson, who both sit on the commission, also expressed disappointment with the decision. Stevenson said she feels there’s some great work that happens through the audit function, but Edmontonians don’t get to see that.
Wright said it’s difficult for councillors to make sound decisions without the information they requested from the commission. She noted that Section 29.2 of Alberta’s Police Act states that council can request information related to the efficiency of police operations.
“Council is trying to get the information to make sound decisions and without some of this information, I don’t know how we can move forward,” Wright said.
The letter from the commission is set to be reviewed by councillors on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2024. At that time, they will determine whether more action can or should be taken.
