The Calgary Police Commission (CPC) issued a strongly-worded statement Monday in the wake of public commentary on a 2013 Calgary Police Service workplace review that uncovered over 60 complaints from Calgary Police Service (CPS) employees claiming they were subject to bullying and sexual harassment.
Scroll down to read the full workplace review
The CPC said a number of parties have raised concerns about “certain commissioners speaking out of turn in public” regarding the workplace concerns that were raised. It emphasized only the commission’s chair and the vice-chairs (when delegated) speak officially on behalf of the group.
“The commission does not believe that it is appropriate to debate these issues, or critique the members or leadership of the CPS, outside of the regular public meetings of the commission, where we can appropriately direct our questions to the chief and engage the CPS in a proactive and constructive dialogue so that we can work to achieve our common goal of a diverse, inclusive and safe workplace.”
Councillor Diane Colley-Urquhart, who sits on the CPC, said Saturday she was excited about city staff working to harmonize the HR departments of the City of Calgary and the CPS in the wake of the workplace review, adding city manager Jeff Fielding would work with the CPS “because the HR departments of these two entities need to be as one…the City of Calgary.”
Watch below: A 16-year CPS member isn’t mincing words. Global News has obtained an email written by Staff Sgt. Darren Berglind to Diane Colley-Urquhart, telling her he’s had enough of her opinions on a recent CPS workplace review alleging harassment. Tracy Nagai reports Oct. 30.
Her fellow commissioner, Councillor Ward Sutherland, called her comments “inappropriate” Sunday, suggesting he’d personally spoken with Fielding, who had not been consulted on the proposed harmonization.
“She’s part of the commission, so why isn’t she bringing up the HR idea first of all with the city manager, with council and with the commission?” Sutherland said Sunday.
Colley-Urquhart also said Saturday that if needed, the police commission would “talk to the minister of justice…to see if we need to further investigate” the CPS practices. Those comments also didn’t sit well with Sutherland on Sunday.
READ MORE: Councillor to take Calgary Police Service workplace concerns to justice minister ‘if need be’
The CPC statement said members are fully engaged in providing policy oversight and investigating whether systemic issues exist in the CPS.
“In June, CPS provided an action plan at the commission’s public meeting,” the statement said. “A progress report on that action plan will be discussed at our meeting in November.”
Watch below: Complaints about a sexist and oppressive workplace have cast a very dark shadow over the police force. Allegations surfaced over the way women in the service are treated on the job. But now — in a rare move — female officers are coming forward in defence of the police. Jill Croteau reports.
The Commission said it regularly holds meetings open to the public. The next meeting is Nov. 29.
“The steps taken by the service to address these important concerns are only the start of what will be an ongoing examination and response to the community’s concerns on this issue,”the CPC statement reads.
“We at the commission look forward to providing our input and guidance to ensure we continue to have the best service in the country.”
Watch below: Allegations of bullying and sexual harassment within the Calgary Police Service are forcing some to ask difficult questions. A report from 2013 says over 60 officers and civilian employees complained about how they were treated by fellow employees and managers. Gary Bobrovitz has more.
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