A recent employee engagement survey conducted by the Edmonton Police Commission reveals that a majority of Edmonton Police Service (EPS) employees take pride in their work, yet harbor mixed feelings about senior leadership. The survey, the first of its kind since 2023, garnered responses from 1,885 employees, representing 62% of the approximately 3,000-member workforce.
Positive Findings
According to the results presented to the commission on Thursday, 68% of respondents provided net favorable responses overall. Notably, 78% of employees expressed pride in working for EPS, and 80% reported positive sentiments about their immediate team. A sense of belonging was also strong, with 78% responding favorably, while 77% felt physically safe at work.
Mental health and work-life balance received positive feedback from 69% and 67% of respondents, respectively. Additionally, 65% of employees would recommend EPS as a good place to work to a friend.
Areas of Concern
Despite these encouraging numbers, only 39% of respondents held a favorable view of senior management, although this marks an improvement from the 2023 survey. Satisfaction with direct supervision was higher at 72%. Commission chair Ben Henderson acknowledged the gap, stating, "It’s certainly a focus for the chief, making sure there’s a healthy and strong connection between the boots on the ground and the upper management."
Career growth opportunities received a 58% favorable rating, while total compensation satisfaction stood at 52%. Notably, only 48% of employees felt that the organization values its people, with a quarter of respondents expressing negative views on compensation and feeling undervalued.
Demographic Insights
The survey also highlighted discomfort among some employees regarding personal questions. Upwards of 16% chose not to answer queries about ethnicity, mental health, gender, or sexuality. Among those who did respond, 16% identified as visible minorities, 5% as Indigenous, and 16% reported having a physical or mental disability. Gender distribution showed 52% male, 36% female, and 2% transgender, nonbinary, or other identities. Six percent identified as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Henderson emphasized the survey's value as a tool for gauging workforce health, noting, "It looks like some progress was made with some of the things raised as concerns a few years ago. It’s important to know we have a healthy and well-engaged workforce."
