Durham deputy chief suspended after alleged 'racially inappropriate term'
· Toronto Sun
Allegedly uttering a “racially inappropriate term” during a meeting has landed a Durham police deputy chief on suspension.
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The incident allegedly took place earlier this week during what was described as an “internal support network meeting” attended by both sworn and civilian Durham Regional Police Services (DRPS), although a statement issued to media outlets Thursday evening by DRPS Chief Peter Moreira explained it was a meeting of the DRPS Afro-Caribbean Canadian Internal Support Network.
“This alleged misconduct will be investigated by an independent third party with the firm objective of ensuring accountability and demonstrating the Board’s unwavering commitment to the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion,” read a statement sent to the Toronto Sun by the Durham Regional Police Service Board.
“The Board and Chief Moreira are committed to ensuring that the DRPS demonstrates the highest standards of professionalism and conduct that earn the trust and confidence of the community.”
The statement said the deputy chief in question was suspended with pay pursuant to the provisions of the Community Safety and Policing Act during the investigation.
DRPS deleted command page webpage Friday morning
The police services board stated a board meeting convened to “consider the matter as expeditiously as possible and exercise its responsibilities” under legislation.
The Sun also reached out to Durham Regional Police and the DRPS Police Association for comment.
While DRPS only list two deputy chiefs on their now-deleted web page listing the service’s command team, Durham only has two deputy chiefs — Kim Yeandle and Chris Kirkpatrick .
Online website archives suggest DRPS deleted their command team website Friday morning.
While no official statements named the officer involved and the Sun has no information on who said what, emails to Deputy Chief Kirkpatrick returned an automated out-of-office message.
There also has been no official word on what the deputy chief is alleged to have said during the meeting.
Deputy chief expresses ‘regret,’ according to chief’s statement
According to CBC News, who viewed a copy of Chief Moreira statement, the deputy chief “expressed sincere regret,” and “acknowledges the harm” their remarks caused.
Chief Moreira also said steps had been taken for the deputy chief to apologize and “begin meaningful reflection and corrective action,” and stated he’s spoken with the Afro-Caribbean Canadian Internal Support Network regarding the incident.
This isn’t the first time Durham police have been touched by controversy.
An investigation by the now-dissolved Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) upheld allegations of a toxic and “poisoned” work environment at DRPS, according to heavily-redacted documents released over the summer.
That investigation was launched in 2019 after a lawyer representing DRPS members reported to the deputy minister of community safety and correctional services complaints of workplace harassment, misconduct and favouritism “at the highest levels” of the police service.
In their complaints, DPRS employees described being humiliated and ostracized for raising concerns with management, alleging interference in professional standards investigations, as well as downplaying, burying or ignoring complaints of work-related PTSD, as well as efforts to prevent the province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of learning of a workplace sexual assault between two DPRS members.