Edmonton police chief apologizes for police-caused ‘pain’ in city’s LGBTQ ranks

EDMONTON (660 NEWS) — Edmonton’s police chief has issued a formal apology for wrongdoing committed by the police department against members of the city’s LGBTQ community.

Chief Dale McFee says the apology acknowledges that while the Edmonton Police Service has an obligation to uphold the law, it has not always demonstrated behaviour that embodies the department’s core values.

“Our actions caused pain. They eroded trust. They created fear. They caused members of the public and our service alike to feel unsafe on their own streets, in their workplaces and even their homes,” he said.

‘I am sorry, we are sorry’: #Edmonton’s police chief to the LGBTQ2S+ community

I will have the full story on Chief Dale McFee’s apology tonight on @CityNewsYEG at 6pm. @edmontonpolice @DMMcFee #yeg pic.twitter.com/a0A49BdzW6

— Sarolta Saskiw (@SaroltaSaskiw) May 3, 2019

McFee promised to stand against any kind of marginalization, denigration or disrespect as part of a reconciliation process aimed at changing the relationship between police and the LGBTQ community. Police have set up a website, www.epsinput.ca, which will gather input on how that process should be shaped. The input shared will shape the design of the engagement process, which will be facilitated by external consultants early in the fall of 2019.

READ MORE: Calgary police chief apologizes for past discrimination against LGBTQ community

Former police chief Rod Knecht said last October that police were working with community members on an apology. Calgary police issued a formal apology to the LGBTQ community last year.

With files from Megan McPhaden.