Algorithmic Policing in Canada Explained

Original source: https://citizenlab.ca/2020/09/algorithmic-policing-in-canada-explained/

Local snapshot (archived 2026-07-03): full-page PDF committed at sources/news/_archive/citizenlab-algorithmic-policing-edmonton/citizenlab-algorithmic-policing-edmonton.pdf.

Authoritative Canadian survey. Used here to CONFIRM what EPS does NOT (publicly) have, to avoid misattribution.

• EPS is named once: "The Edmonton Police Service, York Regional Police, and Peel Regional Police Service have all announced plans to adopt facial recognition systems." (as of 2020 — foreshadows the 2025 Axon FR bodycam pilot).
• Report does NOT document EPS use of: Palantir, predictive policing platforms, social-media surveillance, or a data-fusion operations centre.
• Contrast (DO NOT misattribute to Edmonton): Calgary PS uses Palantir Gotham + NEC facial recognition + social-network analysis; Toronto PS uses social-media surveillance + NEC FR; Vancouver PD operates GeoDASH predictive policing.
• Caveat in report: public info is limited; absence of documentation ≠ proof of non-use.
• SEPARATE reporting (chroniclejournal/CP "AI arms race" 2026, and drugdatadecoded/Breach) notes EPS is building two in-house AI tools (audio transcription; records-management case-linking) and that IBM was involved in an EPS digital operations centre — these are RUMORED/under-documented as to cost, not sourced to an EPS procurement receipt. Edmonton's "Boyle Street experiment" in data-driven/predictive intervention is referenced ($1.60 saved per $1) but is a social-outcomes pilot, not a named surveillance platform.