We demand the immediate removal of Chief Dale McFee from his role as Chief of the Edmonton Police Service. Under his leadership, EPS has become recognized across Canada as the 2nd-highest place for police-involved deaths and it was Black, Indigenous and vulnerable communities that were disproportionately targeted. EPS has become a symbol of unchecked power and systemic violence and has become a danger to the community. McFee’s actions and inactions have demonstrated that he is unfit to lead and have exposed a severe failure of City Council and the Edmonton Police Commission management and oversight of EPS. 

Critical Failures of Chief McFee’s Leadership:

The Killing of Mathios Arkangelo: After less than two months, McFee allowed the officer who fatally shot Mathios Arkangelo to return to active duty despite an ongoing ASIRT investigation. McFee has repeatedly used the press to justify the killing to the public despite video evidence showing even after Mathios dropped his utility knife; the officer continued to fire. McFee’s justification for the officer’s actions was insensitive and indicative of EPS’s culture: “People get the message that when we are there, they need to follow commands.” McFee has repeatedly shifted the blame from his officers to victims of police brutality. In response to the killing of Mathios Arkangelo, he claimed, "Nobody puts on the uniform and goes to work to serve the public [and] wants to be in these situations, but unfortunately, it’s the nature of the job.” This statement suggests that the killing of Black youth is merely part of police work, a dangerous and harmful narrative.

Punishing a Whistleblower, Not Corrupt Officers: Despite allowing the officer who killed Mathios Arkangelo to return to active duty, McFee chose to place a whistleblower officer who exposed alleged corruption within EPS on an unpaid suspension. This double standard shows that McFee is willing to suspend those who critique or question EPS’s practices but is willing to protect his officers accused of murdering community members. 

Misusing Representation to Silence Dissent: McFee has repeatedly used Enyinnah Okere, a Black man who is a high-ranking executive with EPS, as a spokesperson to deflect criticism and silence dissent from Black communities. By positioning Okere as the face of the EPS, McFee creates the appearance of inclusivity while failing to take any real action. As Okere sat next to McFee, McFee justified the killing of Mathios while Okere remained silent on the issue. Instead, Okere chose to use the opportunity to share EPS’s “community work.” This tactic of using representation as a shield is harmful and designed to silence dissent from within the Black community. 

Our Demands:

Immediate Firing of Chief McFee: McFee has consistently shown through his actions, statements, and inadequate leadership style that he’s unfit to lead EPS. In the case of Mathios Arkangelo, McFee interfered with an active ASIRT investigation by attempt to justify the involved officers actions. He chose to rely on political posturing and has relied on select community members to silence dissent within the community. McFee places greater importance on protecting his officers than the community, which has resulted in significant harm. If Council and the Police Commission genuinely want to rebuild relationships with the community, McFee isn’t the right choice to repair the damage he caused. 

Full Investigation of EPS Practices: We also call for a comprehensive independent investigation into EPS actions during McFee’s leadership tenure. This investigation should be focused on the employed violence, targeting, profiling and death of community members with a particular focus on vulnerable communities. We encourage communities who have faced harm and received no support or attention to come forward. 

Accountability and Transparency in EPS Leadership: The next Chief of the EPS must commit to transparency, accountability, and meaningful reform. The EPS needs leadership that prioritizes community safety and trust, not political maneuvering.