Latest news with #FarooqSheikh
CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Here are the highest-paid City of Regina employees for 2024
Regina City Manger Niki Anderson can be seen in this photo taken during 2025 city budget deliberations City manager Niki Anderson and Regina Police Chief Farooq Sheikh were the top two highest paid city employees in 2024 – both are currently on leave. Anderson received a total salary of $317,112 in 2024, which is up from $297,173 in 2023. For the past two years, Anderson has been the highest paid city employee – she was also the sole employee to cross the $300,000 benchmark in salary. Since April 29, Anderson has been on leave – with city clerk Jim Nicol serving as the interim city manager. The announcement of Anderson's leave was made public on April 29, following a special council meeting. No other details have been provided as to the nature of her absence – with Mayor Chad Bachynski simply describing it as a 'a personal matter.' RPS Chief Farooq Sheikh came in close behind – reporting an annual salary of $273,100. Sheikh officially assumed the role as chief in December of 2023. On April 4, the Regina Police Service announced that Sheikh had been temporarily removed from active service following a complaint from a member of the public to the Public Complaints Commission (PCC). The top 10 highest-paid employees with the City of Regina last year are as follows: Niki Anderson, city manager: $317,112 Farooq Sheikh, chief of Regina Police Service: $273,100 Lorilee Davies, deputy chief of Regina Police Service: $256,547 Deborah Bryden, deputy city manager of city planning and community Services: $250,206 Jennifer Johnson, deputy city manager of communications, Service Regina and tourism: $240,902 Roberta Engel, interim president and CEO at REAL: $237,720 Kurtis Doney, deputy city manager of city operations: $234,485 Darcy Koch, superintendent at Regina Police Service: $228,312 Shannon Williams, city solicitor: $224,281 Trent Stevely, deputy chief of Regina Police Service: $227,568 Other employees paid more than $200,000 included Jim Nicol (city clerk and acting city manager), Regina Public Library Jeff Barber, fire chief Layne Jackson, Economic Development Regina CEO Chris Lane and Buffalo Pound Water Treat Plant CEO Ryan Johnson. Former president and CEO of REAL Tim Reid also made the list – stemming from severance and other payments related to his termination in early January of 2024. The accounts show that Reid earned $22,060 for his work in January and $187,757 in 'other renumeration' for a total of $209,817. A total of 23 employees working for the city were paid more than $200,000 in 2024. This marks an increase from 18 in 2023 and 11 in 2022. Former chief financial officer Barry Lacey earned $146,398 in salary and $177,709 in 'other renumeration' when he retired in July following eight years in the position. RPS superintendent Kelly Trithart and REAL vice-president of corporate finance and operations Scott Manson earned $199,567 and $194,696 respectively. Next on the list was the former chief of staff for the city manager Ly Pham – who was paid $192,197 in 2024. Pham was one of three city employees who were terminated the day after Anderson was reported to be on leave. Former Mayor Sandra Masters received $151,564 in base salary in addition to $7,924 for travel and $14,882 for a car lease. Former city councillors were paid $55,537 for their final term in office. The city employed 5,168 people in 2024 – 200 fewer than in 2023. Wages and benefits accounted for approximately 46 per cent of the city's expenses for 2024.
CBC
06-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Leaked letter says former Regina police commissioner filed complaint against RPS chief
A letter to ex-Regina Board of Police Commissioners member Alicia Morrow, indicating she filed a complaint against Regina Police Chief Farooq Sheikh, was leaked on social media Monday. The Regina Police Service (RPS) announced on April 4 that Sheikh had been suspended with pay after a public complaint against him. The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) is currently investigating the allegation. Details about the nature of the complaint and who made it have not been officially released. On Monday afternoon, social media account Just Bins posted an image of a letter from the PCC to Alicia Morrow, a local business owner and activist. The letter, dated March 26, acknowledged a complaint Morrow made against the RPS chief. On Tuesday afternoon, Morrow's lawyer Sharon Fox confirmed that the leaked letter had been sent to Morrow, but said she could not comment on what the letter related to until the PCC investigation is complete. CBC has asked the RPS and the PCC whether Morrow's complaint sparked the investigation that led to Sheikh's suspension. The RPS did not answer the question. The PCC had not responded as of publication time. Fox described the leak as a "clear and calculated attempt to intimidate, silence and re-victimize" Morrow. She also said the release of the letter led to Morrow facing targeted harassment and a risk to her personal safety. "This breach is not just a violation of privacy—it is emblematic of the broader crisis facing Indigenous women, who are disproportionately subjected to violence, retaliation, and institutional silencing when they come forward," Fox said. Fox also said her firm is investigating who was responsible for the leak, and intends to take "appropriate legal action." Morrow had been a member of the Regina Board of Police Commissioners, the governing body of the Regina Police Service, since August 2024. The board is a seven-member body comprised of the Regina mayor, two city council members and four regular citizens, one of whom must be of Indigenous descent. Morrow was the Indigenous board member. On Tuesday, Mayor Bachynski confirmed that Morrow had left the board. Public meeting notes indicate her last appearance as a listed board member was at the Feb. 27 board meeting, where she was listed as absent.
CBC
04-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Regina police Chief Farooq Sheikh suspended after public complaint
Social Sharing Regina Police Service Chief Farooq Sheikh has been suspended from duty after a complaint was made by a member of the public. In a Friday statement, the Regina Board of Police Commissioners confirmed Sheikh has been suspended with pay, as required under the Police Act. Details about the nature of the complaint were not made public. The board says the Public Complaints Commission is reviewing the complaint and investigating. "The Board of Police Commissioners takes complaints seriously and has a duty to protect public confidence in the Regina Police Service while the PCC investigates," a statement signed by board chair Yashu Bither said. The Public Complaints Commission is a five-person, non-police body appointed by the provincial government. Deputy Chief Lorilee Davies will be the interim acting Regina police chief while Sheikh is suspended. Bither says no further comment will be issued while the investigation is ongoing. The board will be updated by the Public Complaints Commission once it has completed its investigation, and the public will be updated after that. Sheikh was appointed as Regina's police chief on Dec. 1, 2023, after serving as the chief of the Alberta sheriffs.
CBC
15-03-2025
- CBC
Regina police launch new community safety programs to prevent crime in neighbourhoods
The Regina Police Service has a new plan for crime prevention in the city. It has started a neighbourhood watch program called Community ON: Neighbourhood Watch Reimagined, which it says gives residents more ways to help keep their communities safe. "We listen to the community. We listen to the residents. We listen to our community surveys and what people say," said Regina police Chief Farooq Sheikh. Community ON builds on already existing programs such as the community crime map and the citizens' police academy. Sheikh said adding the neighbourhood watch program is about being more transparent. "Often people say that they're not aware exactly what's going on in the neighbourhood. Often people say they don't see enough of the police," said Sheikh. "Often people say there's not a two-way dialogue, and often people feel that they're not as safe as they should be." Community ON will build a comprehensive program aimed at helping the residents understand how they can contribute to crime prevention, he said. "If there's an increase in crime in an area, they need to know. If there's a decrease in crime in an area, they need to know." Strengthening engagement Another part of the initiative is a program called the Neighbourhood Watch Link, which will help police, residents and businesses share information. It is going to operate as a pilot program for residents in Arcola East, before expanding to more neighbourhoods later this year. "We cannot expect the law enforcement to be there 24/7," said Yashu Bither, president of the Arcola East Community Association. Residents will be able to report suspicious behaviour and receive updates around crime trends in the neighbourhood. WATCH | Regina police launch new plan for crime prevention in the city: Regina police launch new plan for crime prevention in the city 2 hours ago Duration 2:08 Police have also introduced a voluntary camera registry for residents to let police know if they have security cameras and, if an incident is caught on camera, that video can be collected as part of the investigation. "The data itself will be housed through … the software provider, so we've got a couple of mechanisms in place for that," said deputy police chief Trent Stevely. "It won't be easily accessible and freely accessible to every employee at [Regina Police Service]. It'll be a select few for investigative purposes." The program is completely voluntary and free for participants to assist the police. Anyone interested in signing up for the safe neighbourhood camera registry or learning more about Community ON can visit the Regina police website.
