For Immediate Release –
“While I remain a proud and dedicated member of the Peel Police Services Board, I am issuing the following statement as an individual and not as a member of the Board.
“I am thoroughly disappointed with the unilateral action taken by the Peel Police Services Board to purport to remove me as Chair of the Board at its hastily-called special meeting on Monday, July 16, 2018. Linda Jeffrey, Mayor of Brampton and fellow PPSB member, requested that an in camera (closed session) meeting be called to discuss general issues related to confidentiality within the Board. As Chair, I agreed that such a meeting was important to have.
“However, the decision of the Board coming out of that meeting was to remove me as Chair and to appoint a new Chair. I was blind-sided. I did not step down or resign the position. I am seeking legal advice on whether the purported removal was illegal.
“While the Board gave no reason for replacing me as Chair, I believe this is a retaliatory measure following the Board’s decision to file a complaint with the Integrity Commissioner that resulted in sanctions against Mississauga Councillor Carolyn Parrish for racist and sexist comments she made to me regarding a high-ranking police officer. I felt obliged to share those comments with the Board and the Chief and am now being punished for doing the right thing.
“I have fully enjoyed serving as Board Chair and look forward to continuing to serve the Board and the Peel Regional Police Service in the name of public safety.”
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