Ben Henderson and Shazia Amiri have been re-elected as Chair and Vice Chair of the Edmonton Police Commission for terms ending December 31, 2026.
“‘I am very happy to be able to continue the crucial work we undertook last year to build strong relationships with the new Chief of Police, City Council, and the Government of Alberta. It is a privilege to be able to give voice to the people of Edmonton as we strengthen police governance in our city.”
Ben Henderson, Chair
Henderson was appointed to the Commission on January 1, 2024. He served on Edmonton City Council for Ward 8 in the central southside from 2007 to 2021. While on City Council, he led initiatives that created the City of Edmonton’s Poverty Elimination Strategy, Winter City Strategy, Public Engagement Strategy and Energy Transition Strategy. After stepping down as City Councillor, he started his own consulting company, specializing in public engagement, governance, government relations and Winter Cities. He is co-chair of End Poverty Edmonton and serves on the national board of the Tamarack Institute. Ben served on the board for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) and chaired the FCM Green Municipal Fund for seven years. He also served as Chair of the Inter City Forum on Social Policy and on the Canada Council on the Social Determinants of Health.
“I’m deeply honoured to serve as Vice Chair of the Edmonton Police Commission. Being part of the Commission is a responsibility I hold with great care, as it means listening to our community, providing thoughtful oversight, and helping shape a police service that is accountable, transparent and responsive to the people it serves. I look forward to continuing this important work alongside my fellow commissioners, the Edmonton Police Service, and our community to strengthen trust and public safety for all Edmontonians.”
Shazia Amiri, Vice Chair
Amiri was appointed to the Commission on January 1, 2022. She is a Registered Social Worker with the Alberta College of Social Workers and brings extensive non-profit experience through her work with E4C, the Boyle McCauley Health Centre and Boyle Street Community Services, as well as her collaboration with the Edmonton Police Service on the Heavy Users of Service project. She has worked across several Government of Alberta ministries, including Community and Social Services, Children and Family Services and Public Safety and Emergency Services. Her roles have included case management for high-risk youth, community assessments, placement investigations, leading an intervention team and managing staff wellness within Correctional Services. She now works in Youth Addiction and Forensic Mental Health at Alberta Health Services, serving both inpatient and outpatient care. Shazia’s expertise includes addressing racism, gender equity, poverty, homelessness, addictions, mental health, trauma, justice and supporting vulnerable populations such as Indigenous and refugee communities. She previously served on the Board of the Alberta Association of Police Governance and currently serves on the Board of the Canadian Association of Police Governance.