Latest news with #MarkNeufeld
CBC
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Calgary Police Commission won't say if former chief received severance pay
The Calgary Police Commission has declined to say if former chief Mark Neufeld received a severance payment after he resigned this spring with two years left on his contract. CBC News asked the commission if Neufeld was paid out for the remainder of his two years under contract, and received a statement in response. "While the Calgary Police Commission certainly understands the interest in Chief Neufeld's recent resignation, we are not legally able to provide any further details as it is a confidential personnel matter," it reads. Ward 7 Councillor Terry Wong was also asked about severance pay for Neufeld but did not provide any details. "You have to appreciate employment contracts are employment contracts between an organization and a person's individual rights," he said. CBC News first reported Neufeld's resignation on May 2, after it obtained a copy of an email sent to members of the force letting them know his resignation had been accepted. Neufeld was sworn in on June 10, 2019. His contract was supposed to run until 2027. Political analyst argues police should provide more answers Lori Williams, a political analyst at Mount Royal University, said it's "entirely appropriate" for taxpayers to expect more information about severance payments for high-profile public figures. "There's an understandable expectation on the part of the public that this information be available," she said. "They also want to know, especially at a time when affordability is such an issue for many people, that their precious tax dollars are being spent wisely." Williams added the lack of information raises questions about the reasons for Neufeld's departure from the force. "The fact that there aren't any answers forthcoming does lead to speculation that something untoward occurred," she said. "We have no idea." Williams also said it's important that the Calgary Police Service manages concerns raised by the public to maintain public trust. The City of Calgary and CPS have provided details on severance pay for executives on some previous occasions. Mayor Jyoti Gondek's former chief of staff, Stephen Carter, received approximately $100,000 in severance pay after he was dismissed in 2022. Severance pay numbers were also made public when two deputy police chief positions were eliminated by former police chief Rick Hanson after he took charge of the force in 2007. One former deputy chief, Dean Young, received $362,744 in severance pay. Another, Peter Davison, took home $341,923.
Calgary Herald
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
New Calgary police chief sworn in as two deputy chiefs depart
Just as a new Calgary police chief was sworn in Wednesday, two deputy chiefs left the service. Article content Article content The changes come just five days after the abrupt, unexplained departure of six-year chief Mark Neufeld, leaving his successor Katie McLellan to assure Calgarians all was well with the city's police service. Article content And they happen just as the CPS is tasked with handling some of the security for the G7 Summit in Kananaskis and a massive influx of delegates for the Rotary International Convention in Calgary — both being held next month. Article content Article content 'I know this change is sudden and . . . I want to assure everyone in this city the CPS is dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition of leadership,' said McLellan, who has been with the service since 1986. Article content Article content 'I am honoured, privileged and humbled to be selected for this role . . . we are in safe and steady hands.' Article content The new chief dubbed her role an interim one but made clear she will remain chief indefinitely and that there is no process underway to find a new top cop. Article content She spent the first 13 years of her career working in front-line areas and her most recent role was with leading CPS's investigative support bureau. Article content McLellan also told reporters deputy chiefs Chad Tawfik and Raj Gill have retired after lengthy stints of service with CPS. Article content She also wouldn't explain the exit of Neufeld — who had two years remaining on his contract — saying it was a confidential personnel matter. Article content Article content McLellan acknowledged morale has long been a problem within CPS. Internal surveys have shown one of the more concerning responses among rank-and-file is a lack of confidence in senior leadership. Article content 'Things like that don't change overnight,' she said. Article content 'We'll continue to listen and learn.' Article content A report released last October that included an internal survey shows small improvements in employee engagement and morale in recent years, with results suggesting concerns about staffing levels and inappropriate conduct have been top of mind for many CPS employees. Article content According to the report, the issue of inadequate staffing was a major concern of both CPS employees and Calgarians. Six out of 10 Calgarians were in low agreement that CPS was adequately staffed this year — an all-time low, the report says. More than 80 per cent of CPS employees agreed.
Calgary Herald
02-05-2025
- Calgary Herald
Calgary police Chief Mark Neufeld resigns from Calgary Police Service
According to sources Calgary Police Chief Mark Neufeld has resigned ahead of his contract ending in 2027. Jim Wells/Postmedia Calgary police Chief Mark Neufeld has resigned from his position, according to an email sent to police commission members on Friday. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The news was first reported by CBC. Postmedia has confirmed his resignation with two anonymous sources. Neufeld took the helm of Calgary's police department in June 2019, replacing former Chief Roger Chaffin, who had retired that January. Prior to Neufeld's arrival, he was a 24-year veteran of the Edmonton Police Service and had served for two years as Chief of the Camrose Police Service. He also spent time with the Vancouver Police Department, where he began his career in 1992. Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again His resignation comes after the Calgary police commission approved a three-year extension of Neufeld's contract in 2023, which was supposed to keep him in the post until 2027. Neufeld also served as the president of the Alberta Association of the Chiefs of Police, was chair of the ALERT board of directors, and was a member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police board of directors.
