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<\/p>\nEighteen new peace officers officially joined Edmonton\u2019s ranks Tuesday, marking the completion of their training with a graduation ceremony at city hall.<\/p>\n
Unlike traditional police officers, peace officers are tasked with enforcing specific laws and regulations aimed at improving public safety. In Edmonton, much of the work centres on keeping the city\u2019s transit system safe \u2014 particularly, the LRT network.<\/p>\n
The ceremony began with cadets marching into city hall in uniform to the sound of the Edmonton Police Service Pipes and Drums. Following a land acknowledgement, city manager Eddie Robar welcomed the graduates and recognized the role they will play in supporting safety across the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday is a celebration of your hard work, discipline, and dedication.\u201d<\/p>\n
Robar then presented officers with their graduate certificates that was followed by a speech from valedictorian Jordan Brooks who reflected on the group\u2019s time together.<\/p>\n
These new officers will be stationed across the greater Edmonton area, including continuing the city\u2019s focus on transit safety.<\/p>\n
Transit officer graduate, Mariah Eshkakogan, spoke about why she joined the peace officer program.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was working as team lead on the community outreach transit team, and I worked alongside transit officers for 5 years,\u201d said Eshkakogan. \u201cThat\u2019s when I noticed that I wanted to be a part of that team and continue to not only serve my community but protect it as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Mariah Eshkakogan and members of the Community Peace Officer Class 26-01 graduate from Alberta\u2019s Community Peace Officer Induction Program during a ceremony at Edmonton City Hall, Tuesday June 30, 2026.<\/p>\n
Eshkakogan also said she wants to pave the way for more Indigenous representation in uniform.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would like to start paving that pathway for Indigenous youth, or any youth that would like to pick up a uniform one day and make that their career.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eskakogan said she is excited to continue her work in transit, and is ready to make a difference in the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels surreal,\u201d she said. \u201cI feel very proud of myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
The chief bylaw officer for the city of Edmonton\u2019s community standards branch, David Jones, also gave a few words on why the day is so important.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese folks have worked really hard for the last few months,\u201d said Jones. \u201cThey\u2019ve dug in, they\u2019ve done a whole lot of training, and I think taking this moment just to pause and celebrate those accomplishments is really important in the trajectory of their career.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones said that the peace officer program is especially important in order to take the pressure off of Edmonton Police Services.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe address bylaw calls, we help with public safety issues, especially in public spaces, and you know it\u2019s a community-focused, forward-facing enforcement program, and I think the province helped establish peace officers in order to create a kind of tiered policing approach to the world of law enforcement in the province.\u201d<\/p>\n
The majority of graduates will be based in the city. Edmonton has continued to assign more peace officers to the transit system in hopes of decreasing crime rates at LRT stations.<\/p>\n
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