The Edmonton Police Commission has selected a new chief of police for the city.
Dale McFee has been named Edmonton’s 23rd chief of police.
“To the men and women, both sworn and civilian, of the Edmonton Police Service, I am a firm believer that it takes a team to be successful. This has been my path my entire career and I look forward to getting here to build and expand the strengths of each of you,” McFee said.
“I’m a firm believer that the sum of the parts is always greater and better than the individual parts. I believe diversity and inclusion are our strengths, and I look forward to utilizing these strengths in helping building and keeping communities safe.”
READ MORE: Edmonton Police Commission revealing new police chief
McFee said he wants a balance between “hard on crime,” which is arrest and incarcerate, and “soft on crime,” to a model that focuses on “community safety.”
“Smart on community safety, meaning that we will balance and do both at the same time. Also, meaning community safety is a lot bigger than policing and we will need our partners at the table to address the issues driving responses in our city,” he said.
“Edmonton is a growing, diverse city. As a police service, we must reflect and ensure that we’re doing our part to help and grow and keep communities safe.”
McFee is the former chief of police in Prince Albert, Sask., and the former president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. He has also served as the deputy minister of Corrections and Policing in Saskatchewan since 2012.
“Incoming Chief Dale McFee really fits the city’s commitment to be service-focused, strategic, and innovative,” Edmonton Police Commission chair Tim O’Brien said. “He has experience serving in a variety of roles and is someone who earns trust and confidence, and is well-regarded by the community.”
The police commission said McFee emerged as the most qualified candidate after a five-month recruitment and interview process.
He has signed a five year contract, with his start date being Feb. 1, 2019.
“I know we — as in the chief, the board, the members of the service, the leadership — are in a position that the Edmonton Police Service will lead the right change at the local, provincial, national, international level, I assure you of that,” McFee said. “Why? Because that’s what Edmontonians deserve.”
McFee replaces Rod Knecht who served as police chief since 2011. His tenure ended on Oct. 31 when his contract was not extended. McFee acknowledged Knecht for his service to Edmonton.
“It’s something that I feel good that I’m coming into, knowing that I’m not trying to fix something that’s broken, but trying to take things that I can maybe add with some of my expertise,” he said.
READ MORE: Edmonton’s interim police chief announced
Deputy Chief Kevin Brezinski served has been serving as the interim chief since Nov. 1.
A swearing in ceremony for McFee is being scheduled for early 2019.
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