Meet Edmonton’s New Police Chief: A Profile of Warren Driechel

Edmonton has a new top cop.

 

His name is Warren Driech, and he is the 24th police chief in the city’s history.

 

For the first time in over twenty years, the Edmonton Police Service has promoted one of its own to lead the force, a move that signals a significant shift in direction and culture.

 

Driechel, a 28-year veteran of the service, was officially appointed on September 19, 2025, receiving a unanimous vote of confirmation from city council.

 

The decision ends a comprehensive nationwide search and places a man with deep roots in Edmonton, and a notably complex past, at the helm of law enforcement in one of Canada's fastest-growing cities.

 

It’s a remarkable career arc for a man once embroiled in a high-profile disciplinary case.

 

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi publicly called him an “excellent choice” for the job, signaling a potential reset in the often-fraught relationship between city hall and police headquarters.

 

That relationship was frequently strained under the previous chief, Dale McFee, whose tenure was marked by public disputes over funding and governance.

 

Driechel inherits a police service at a critical juncture.

 

While recent statistics show overall crime rates and violent crime severity are trending downward to decade-long lows, the feeling on the street tells a different story.

 

Public perception of safety, particularly in areas like downtown and on public transit, remains a pressing concern for many Edmontonians.

 

Calls for service related to social disorder, encampments, and mental health crises have skyrocketed, placing immense pressure on frontline officers.

 

It is precisely this challenge that Driechel has identified as his central mission.

 

During his appointment ceremony, he spoke of transforming the EPS from a “very traditional call-and-response organization” into a more agile and proactive force.

 

This isn't just rhetoric; his career path reflects a long-standing focus on community-based solutions.

 

As Deputy Chief, Driechel directed the Community Safety and Well Being Bureau, overseeing critical initiatives like the encampment response teams and multidisciplinary units that pair police with mental health professionals.

 

He understands the tangled web of addiction, homelessness, and mental health that drives so much of the city’s disorder.

 

He also confronts a controversial moment in his own past with striking candor.

 

In the 2010s, Driechel was disciplined for purchasing steroids from a fellow officer who was later found to be trafficking the substances within the service.

 

Instead of hiding from it, Driechel himself brought it up to the police commission during the hiring process.

 

He openly admits it was a moment he deeply regretted, explaining he was “struggling with some things at the time.”

 

He has since framed the experience as a profound lesson in mental health and resilience.

 

“I know it’ll follow me, and I know it’s always going to be there,” he stated, expressing a hope that his life’s work would not be defined by that single mistake.

 

Police commission chairman Ben Henderson said commissioners were impressed, not deterred, by Driechel’s humility and honesty about this dark period.

 

Born in Edmonton and raised in rural Alberta, Driechel joined the EPS in 1997 as a member of Recruit Training Class 88.

 

He started on patrol in the North Division and worked his way through organized crime, gang investigations, and intelligence units.

 

He has spearheaded changes in data technology and served as an expert in recruit training, giving him a ground-up view of the service he now leads.

 

This internal perspective is something the EPS hasn't had in a leader since 2004.

 

This choice suggests a belief that the answers to the service’s challenges lie within its own ranks.

 

Driechel’s other key priorities include improving the mental health and well-being of his officers, who are facing unprecedented levels of stress and burnout.

 

He also aims to equip the force to police a city that is growing at a breakneck pace, with a population now exceeding 1.2 million people.

 

The Edmonton Driechel joined in 1997 is a vastly different place from the one he is now sworn to protect.

 

He has to navigate complex social issues, mend political fences, and earn the trust of both his officers and the diverse communities they serve.

 

His success will depend on his ability to prove that his past has made him a more empathetic and effective leader.

 

For a city grappling with its identity and its future, the appointment of Warren Driechel is more than just a personnel change.

 

It’s a bet on a homegrown leader who has seen the best and worst of policing and of himself, to guide Edmonton toward a safer future.

 

 

Our reader's top questions about Edmonton's New Police Chief

 

Who is the new police chief of Edmonton?

 

The new police chief is Warren Driechel, a 28-year veteran of the Edmonton Police Service. He was officially appointed on September 19, 2025, making him the 24th chief in the city's history and the first internal hire for the position in over 20 years.

 

What are Chief Driechel's main priorities?

 

Chief Driechel has stated his main priorities are to make the EPS more proactive rather than reactive to crime, improve the mental health and wellness of police officers, and better equip the service to handle the challenges of a rapidly growing city. He is also known for his commitment to community engagement and addressing social disorder through partnerships.

 

Has there been any controversy surrounding the new police chief?

 

Yes, during his career, Warren Driechel was involved in a disciplinary case for purchasing steroids from another officer. He has addressed this issue publicly, stating he was struggling personally at the time and has learned significant lessons from the experience about mental health and resilience. The Edmonton Police Commission has expressed confidence in his handling of this past issue.