Edmonton’s police chief is under fire for his trip to Israel in February to engage with state policing officials as part of an international delegation. Warren Driechel, the head of the Edmonton Police Service, participated in the delegation arranged by the Major Cities Chiefs Association, a professional group of police executives in Canada and the United States.
The visit by Driechel has sparked criticism from Islamic mosques and Muslim-Canadian community organizations in Edmonton due to Israel’s ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip and alleged human rights violations. Community leaders expressed their concerns in a letter to the Edmonton Police Commission, stating that the chief’s decision to travel to Israel and engage with policing institutions shows a lack of judgment towards the communities he serves.
More than 20 organizations, including Islamic mosques, schools, and community associations, signed the letter requesting clarification on how the trip was approved and whether Israeli policing practices are being implemented in Edmonton. They questioned the values and policing methods being learned during the trip and their relevance to Edmonton.
Driechel declined an interview request from CBC News, while Ben Henderson, chair of the Edmonton police commission, mentioned that he authorized Driechel’s trip in line with his contract terms. The commission is planning to review its travel request policies following discussions about Driechel’s visit.
In response to the criticism, the Edmonton police stated that Driechel was chosen to join a group of senior law enforcement officials from the U.S. and Canada to learn from Israeli police and local law enforcement authorities. The trip was described as an educational opportunity focusing on areas such as critical incident response, threat preparedness, and community engagement.
The statement clarified that no contracts, equipment, or training were acquired during the trip, which was funded by the Major Cities Chiefs Association. This is not the first instance of controversy surrounding North American police participating in Israeli police training, as other cities like Milwaukee and Los Angeles have faced similar scrutiny.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims expressed deep concern about the visit, particularly during a time of conflict in the region. They highlighted allegations of war crimes and genocide against Israel and raised issues regarding the treatment of Palestinian citizens by Israeli police. Israel has denied these allegations and is contesting accusations at the International Court of Justice.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which began in October 2023, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Recent developments include an attack on Iran by Israel and the United States, leading to further casualties in the region.