Cop union calls for police commission resignation 'out of left field': criminologist
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A day after Calgary Police Association president Les Kaminski called for the resignation of police commission chair Brian Thiessen, a local criminologist said he saw the message as something coming “out of left field.”
Kaminski’s call for Thiessen’s resignation came weeks after a war of words erupted, when he called out the chair for comments made on CBC Radio One’s Calgary Eyeopener program.
Kelly Sundberg, a criminologist at Mount Royal University, said Kaminski taking it a step further is unprecedented. He also said he found the timing of it odd.
“I was taken aback by the president of the CPA being so vocal and so … derogatory towards the chair of the police commission,” he said.
“It’s important to note the chair of the commission is, in fact, a very well respected, and noted labour lawyer and is also a volunteer.”
Kaminski made the call Thursday afternoon, a week after Sheila Ball resigned as chief human resources officer with the Calgary Police Service — a mere six months after she was hired. Her second-in-command had also resigned.
Sundberg added that while the move was sudden and unexpected, he knows there have been tensions.
“I saw (Kaminski’s call) as coming out of left field; it’s strange to see this emerge,” he said. “I know there have been some tensions between the police service, the chief constable (Roger Chaffin) and the president of the association, among other things.
“By and large, I think the commission chair, police chief and president of the association, each respectively, have been doing their jobs and representing their interests very well.”
The role of the commission, made up of volunteers and a member of city council, is to work as a civilian oversight group to the city’s police service and chief.
Kaminski, however, said, “Thiessen is a cheerleader” for the chief, rather than providing what he believes is an adequate oversight.
Sundberg disagreed with that assessment.
“I think that the chair has been doing a fantastic job,” he said.
“To suggest there is some inappropriate or over-friendly relationship between the chair and chief, I don’t see it and I don’t think that’s the case at all.
“I think there is nothing wrong with the commission chair and members of the commission to have collegial, friendly, positive, professional friendships and relationships with the executive of the police service.”
On Twitter: @zjlaing
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