EPS defends police actions during U of A encampment clearing

Edmonton's police chief is defending the decision to clear a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Alberta last weekend, saying that safety concerns, signs of entrenchment and local police intelligence were among the factors that led to the dismantling of the camp.

On Friday, the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) gave a detailed timeline of the encampment and police response, starting from when the encampment was erected and ending with ongoing investigations that officials say could result in criminal charges. 

"We hope we never have to do it. We hope people comply with the orders and they just leave," said Chief Dale McFee during a news conference on Friday.

"I wish people would have just left peacefully when they were asked — not maybe the first or second time, but at least the third to the sixth time. It would have been a little easier for everybody."

The encampment was set up in the main quad of the U of A on May 9. Two days later, at the university's request, police cleared it.

The response, including the force used, has come under public scrutiny.

The Alberta government announced this week that it plans to ask the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) — which investigates incidents where police may have caused serious injury or death — to examine the U of A and University of Calgary encampment clearings. 

The Edmonton police commission is also asking for more information about EPS policies regarding protest management and wearing name tags.

"The choices police make in these complex public safety environments are not ones that we make haphazardly," said Deputy Chief Devin Laforce, of the EPS investigations bureau, at the news conference.

"These are based on significant expertise and reviews, and paying attention to similar events that occur in other major cities."

Demonstrators ignored six official trespass and eviction warnings, police said, and campus peace officers first informed organizers they could not stay overnight when the camp was built in the early morning of May 9.

Signs were installed around the camp and peace officers told demonstrators they were trespassing several more times. The final eviction notice came Saturday morning while police were on scene.

The camp grew over those two days. The number of people fluctuated depending on the time of day, but police believe it peaked at 120 people and 40 tents on the evening of May 9.

University officials grew concerned as encampment organizers made calls to action, such as "Protect our students," and requested various supplies, police said.