Ontario police deputy chief suspended for allegedly using 'racially inappropriate' term

A surrogate chief with the shorthorn Regional police force serve has been suspended for allegedly using a "racially out or keeping(p) term," the police board says, during a meeting with Black officers and employees.

The incident happened earlier this week during a meeting of the service’s Afro-Caribbean Canadian Internal Support Network, according to a statement by DRPS Chief Peter Moreira on Thursday evening. 

The deputy chief “used language, although not directed at anyone, that was offensive and inconsistent with our values,” the statement read. 

The service has two deputy chiefs, according to its website: Chris Kirkpatrick and Kim Yeandle. The statement did not name the deputy chief who has been suspended.

Moreira said he notified the Durham Regional Police Service Board once he learned about the incident. The board then suspended the deputy chief with pay, the statement read. 

An independent investigation is underway, he said. 

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The police board said in a statement the deputy chief “is alleged to have used a racially inappropriate term during an internal support network meeting.” 

Both officers and civilian members of the DRPS were in attendance, the statement said. 

“This alleged misconduct will be investigated by an independent third party with the firm objective of ensuring accountability,” it added. 

The board said it will make “no further comments … pending the outcome of the investigation.” 

The deputy chief “has expressed sincere regret [and] acknowledges the harm caused by the language used,” Moreira said in the email. 

“Steps have already been taken to apologize directly to those affected and to begin meaningful reflection and corrective action,” he said. The email didn't specify what these steps are.

Moreira said he has spoken with the co-chair of the Afro-Caribbean Canadian Internal Support Network, and will be meeting with their members “to discuss the matter further to ensure they have my support.” 

Ajax Coun. Sterling Lee said in a statement on Facebook the incident shows “what anti-Black racism looks like when it reaches the highest levels of leadership and goes unchecked.” 

He said he believes the incident is a fireable offence and hopes to see “genuine punishment” for the deputy chief after the investigation.

“There’s no acceptable reason to use that word when you could easily use the euphemism of the N-word or use other context clues,” said Lee.

“In my experience, people who use that word so casually, have typically used it before,” he said. 

The incident comes a month after a Black lawyer alleged Durham police officers assaulted her at the Oshawa courthouse. 

While the redacted report doesn’t include allegations of racism, it says the service ran a "poisoned work environment,” including bias in workplace harassment investigations, intimidation and dismissive attitudes towards members’ mental health concerns. 

Earlier this month, Durham Regional council put forward a motion to request an unredacted copy of the report via freedom of information request.

The council also requested the board remove any ceremonial honours and titles from current and former officers who were found to have committed wrongdoing.

Lee said he expects “a swelling of anger” from residents who are tired of police misconduct. 

“I was angry, sad for the officers that were there and, I hate to say, I was not surprised,” said Lee, adding the DRPS has not “pushed the needle” in diversifying its police force. 

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