Organized crime enforcement, intervention, diversion, suppression, community engagement – it all speaks volumes to the work Sgt. Ryan Ferry has done to contribute to reducing gang and violence activity in the community.

Recently, Sgt. Ferry was awarded the Jim Aspiotis Memorial Award by the Ontario Gang Investigators Association. The award is aimed at individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professionalism and a profound dedication to the safety of their community and its members.

“I’m humbled and incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue the work that I have been so intent on carrying out for more than a decade now,” Sgt. Ferry said. “I’m grateful the leadership in the organization recognize the importance of the work we do. I’m equally as honoured to work with the other Gang Suppression Team members, Organized Crime Branch members and front-line members who are just as passionate and supportive as I have ever been to carrying out this type of work.”

In his 18 years as a member of the Edmonton Police Service (EPS), he worked in several units related to crime management, and gang and violence suppression. Currently, he is supervisor of the EPS Gang Suppression Team.

As a positive role model in the community, Sgt. Ferry has demonstrated outstanding professionalism and a profound dedication to the safety of the communities he lives and works in.

“Ryan has made a significant impact on community groups, youths and their families that were struggling to find answers to combat gang violence in their lives,” said S/Sgt Eric Stewart, who is Sgt. Ferry’s direct supervisor. “Ryan’s strong desire to help vulnerable communities has resulted in him being a leading expert in gang violence and gang culture.”

Sgt. Ferry’s list of accomplishments and advocacy efforts has not gone unnoticed, and a summary of his work and community contributions include:

• Establishing the Youth Empowerment Team Initiative to bring together key stakeholders to address the problem behaviour of homelessness and disadvantaged youth in Edmonton. This resulted in reducing the identified behavioural issues with youth on the path to gang life and was carried on in the community after Ryan moved on from the unit.
• Founding member of the Hospitality Policing Unit, dedicated to reducing violence in Edmonton’s entertainment venues.
• Co-lead instructor on the Entertainment Zone Policing course for what was the only course of its kind offered in North America at the time.
• Consulting with senior representatives of the African and Black Community Liaison Committee where he established and initiated internal violence reduction strategies along with collaborating to provide support to the communities in crisis.
• Leading a 3-month project focusing on reducing shootings and violence between several gangs in Edmonton.
• Presenting to youth groups regarding different pathways into gang life and effective strategies for gang avoidance.
• Guest lecturing at post secondary institutions in the criminology department providing a history of gangs and intervention strategies.
• Participating on the steering committee for the Building Safer Communities Fund in collaboration with the City of Edmonton.  
• Establishing the Gang Response and Intelligence Program with EPS – created to coordinate response to gang and organized crime activity while also facilitating intelligence generation or distribution across all operational areas within the EPS impacted by violence.

“Ryan has been a leader in his pursuit for community safety and is sought after for his knowledge and expertise in organized crime,” said S/Sgt. Stewart. “He is well respected by his supervisors and peers, fostering relationships with police agencies across Canada and is a positive role model.”

In terms of future steps for reducing gang presence and violence on City streets, the key is to maximize internal and external information sharing and collaboration.

“We need to get everyone pulling in the same direction,” Sgt. Ferry said. “After we are able to improve our information sharing and communication, we can more effectively maximize the great work and capacity that already exists within everyone from front line patrol members all the way to community and family members. There needs to be proportional and thoughtful application of prevention, suppression and diversion efforts amongst the police and members of the community who we need to support us in this work.”

Sgt. Ferry and the Gang Suppression Team were recently featured in a 3-part series produced by Global News called Disarming Edmonton Gangs. All three parts can be viewed here.