2SLGBTQ+ Archives

Welcome to the Edmonton Police Service’s 2SLGBTQ+ Allies Consultation and Reconciliation Archives page. Here you will find information, resources, and feedback from previous years engaging with the 2SLGBTQ+ community and its allies.

2SLGBTQ+ Reconciliation Initiatives

Transformation Change

The Edmonton Police Service has completed the consultations with the community and its police members as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ reconciliation initiative. In this video, Chief Dale McFee and other EPS members, share some of the feedback received and the actions that EPS is and will take moving forward.

Next Steps (2019)

The input we received from the 2SLGBTQ+ community shortly after Chief McFee’s apology greatly assisted us in the design of the community engagement.

Throughout September and early October, we met with a range of stakeholders in focussed discussions and in one-on-one interviews. 

In addition, as part of our commitment to reach as many community members as possible, a survey was offered to the 2SLGBTQ+ community. This survey closed on Oct 15, 2019. The input we receive from all of the engagement will be shared with the community later in the Fall.

 Engagement and Feedback to the Process

As Chief Dale McFee said in his statement, “To make sure we get this right, it has to be guided and informed by those in our community. By those who have spoken out before, and by those who haven’t yet had the opportunity to share their voices. We are requesting advice, guidance and partnership.”

SURVEY UPDATE

In 2019 we asked people for input into two questions:

1.      If you were the Chief of Police, what would you change quickly and immediately in terms of EPS’s relationship with
2SLGBTQ+ community and

2.     What are the different ways we should engage the 2SLGBTQ+ community?

Please see the summary below.

SURVEY SUMMARY

Question No. 1

If you were the Chief of Police, what would you change quickly and immediately in terms of the EPS relationship with the 2SLGBTQ+ community?

  1. Greater Emphasis on Education – Incorporate history of the community, sensitivity training as part of both recruitment and on-going interaction with and service to the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

  2. Increased visibility of support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community – Campaigns and symbols like rainbow stickers on vehicles which show how the EPS supports the community. Celebrate accomplishments and build profile of examples of positive relations with 2SLGBTQ+ community.

  3. Bolster connection to the community – Consult with the members of the community on issues and look for insight among older community members.

  4. RESPECT – Make it imperative that the EPS show respect to the community– that includes things like appropriate use of pronouns and how to engage and support the Transgender community.

  5. Understand doubt –  Recognize that some of the community’s doubt about the EPS (and involvement in Pride)– is related to the past mistreatment and lack of support of 2SLGBTQ+ community members.

  6. Strengthen Race Relations – Understand that the 2SLGBTQ+ community is diverse.  Stop carding. 

  7. Responses to Groups – Do not get caught up in over accommodating single-minded groups.

  8. Diversity in EPS – Promote diversity in hiring practices and consider affirmative action programs.

  9. Accountability within EPS – Pre-screen recruits, establish complaint systems for members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, following through on consequences for mistreatment of community by EPS members and establish a task force to provide oversight on 2SLGBTQ+ relationships

Question No 2

What are the different ways we should engage with the 2SLGBTQ+ community?

Facilitation Design – Use skilled facilitators and engagement processes that allow for stories to be shared.  Ensure that EPS responds to public engagement input provided. Consider funding opportunities for queer people to participate.

Respect Diversity – Use appropriate pronouns and preferred names.  Ensure that the engagement process does not shame members of the community.  Understand intersectionality and its significance in the understanding the community.

Engagement Activities – Ensure open, SAFE environments and include multiple access channels for input including those that are fearful of participating publicly.  Use tools like forums and town halls, focus groups and surveys.  Ensure that there is outreach to difficult-to -reach groups including transgender, non-binary, refugees, Indigenous communities and people of colour and that the engagement includes a broad representation of the community. Do not give into single-minded groups.

Other:

Public Campaign and Raised Visibility – Forge relationships with the 2SLGBTQ+ community by being present at events and on important occasions such as Transgender Pride Week.  Explore opportunities to cross brand at existing 2SLGBTQ+ events.  Use social media to demonstrate the EPS’ support of the community.  Place a greater emphasis on raising visibility, improving liaison opportunities and general dialoguing with the community.

Supporting Relations within Community’s Diversity – Don’t give into single-minded groups.  Play a role in building bridges between marginalized and non-marginalized members of the community.

Using EPS’ own Diversity – Ensure that the EPS has diversity within its ranks and tap into this diversity when responding to police matters involving the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Response Mechanisms – Ensure that EPS has established mechanisms to respond to complaints from the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

History and Education – Place a greater emphasis on ensuring that the EPS understand the history of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.