EPS chief says he stands by trip to Israel

Edmonton police chief Warren Driechel is defending his decision to travel to Israel on an educational trip where he met with policing and community leaders.

Edmonton’s police chief Warren Driechel says he stands by his trip to Israel following calls for his resignation.

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) confirmed that Driechel joined a delegation of police leaders from Canada and the U.S. on an educational trip to Israel funded by the Major Cities Chiefs Association in February.

Driechel’s participation sparked mixed reactions from Edmonton’s Jewish and Palestinian communities.

Over the weekend, the EPS headquarters saw some 70 people protesting the chief’s decision to go to Israel.

In a statement Tuesday afternoon, Driechel said that during the trip he spent time with police officers from Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Druze faiths.

“I also met with Muslim community leaders who shared openly about their concerns and their reasons for working with police,” said the chief. “These officers and community leaders operate in an environment that demands extraordinary vigilance – managing crime, counter terrorism, supporting community and crisis response all amid extreme complexity.”

He went on to say that leaders discussed building trust in communities where it is strained and were able to get a glimpse of the undertaking required to police in complex environments.

“As police we focus on behaviour, not beliefs. Where I have felt challenged this week is in the implication that any community group should have the right to direct where we can learn,” said Driechel.

“I stand by my decision to take the trip to Israel and continue to view it as valuable, among multiple learning experiences I will have in this role.”