The Commission has selected Warren Driechel as the 24th Chief of the Edmonton Police Service (EPS).
The Commission looked for the best candidate to lead the EPS, and after a comprehensive, nation-wide search, the board chose Chief Driechel to lead the EPS with a firm focus on community policing and improving public safety for all Edmontonians.
“We believe that Chief Driechel was the best candidate to reduce crime, improve public safety, strengthen relationships between police and our community, and Increase transparency and public accountability at the EPS.”
Ben Henderson, Commission Chair
Chief Driechel began his career in 1997 in Patrol North Division. He has led and developed several police intelligence units and programs, worked in organized crime and gang investigations, provided expertise in recruit training and spearheaded changes in data organization and technology development throughout his career. Chief Driechel is dedicated to innovation, leadership and operational excellence, and is known for his strong commitment to community engagement and proactive policing.
Most recently as Deputy Chief, he led divisions focused on a variety of community services and offender management and support, including the Community Safety, Encampment Response, the Police and Crisis Response Team and the Human-centred Engagement and Liaison Partnership Unit; the Emergency Communications Centre; the School Resource Officer Program; and the Behavioural Assessment and Integrated Offender Management Units. Chief Driechel has keen insight into policing in Edmonton at all levels, from the frontline to the senior management ranks.
“To the people of Edmonton and the entire EPS community, I am grateful to have the honour of serving as your Chief of the Edmonton Police Service. I am excited for the path ahead and mindful of the expectation that comes hand in hand with this role. I know I will lead an exceptional group of people who do such important work, and I know that there are high expectations from a community that calls for us to evolve and learn and grow in pace with them. Thank you to the Edmonton Police Commission and City Council for placing their trust in me.”
Warren Driechel, EPS Chief
The hiring process was informed by robust public engagement through public surveys and 53 in-person consultations to provide the Commission with important community feedback on what Edmonton needed from its new police chief. The Commission was able to engage with a broad cross-section of Edmontonians in addition to the general population, including Indigenous, newcomers, 2SLGTBQI+ and unhoused individuals.
On September 19, 2025, Edmonton City Council ratified the Commission’s selection for a police chief as required under Alberta’s Police Act.
The Commission thanks Deputy Chief Devin Laforce for his steadfast leadership of the EPS over the past several months as Interim Chief alongside Chief Driechel.