Dont let the door hit you on the way out ****** bag...
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair will be forced to step down from his position after his term ends next April.
The Toronto Police Services Board announced Wednesday afternoon its' decision to not renew the chief’s contract.
"After considerable discussion related to the Toronto Police Service’s continuing need for organizational renewal, the Board has decided not to renew the employment agreement of Chief Blair,” the board said in a press release.
[h=2][/h] Police board's statement on Chief Blair
[h=2]Photos[/h]
In this file photo, Toronto police Chief Bill Blair is seen speaking to the media in Toronto in the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 17, 2012, following a mass shooting on Danzig Street. (The Canadian Press/Aaron Vincent Elkaim)
Blair’s final day in office will be April 25, 2015.
The chief has yet to publicly respond to the announcement.
Speaking to reporters following the announcement, TPS Board Chair Alok Mukherjee said Blair wanted to renew his contract, but the board decided it needed someone new in order to help renew the police service.
“The Board is very, very proud of the record of Chief Blair. The board has nothing but the highest regard for him and the board is very grateful and appreciative of his service to this community,” Mukherjee said.
Mukherjee would not disclose how close the board’s vote was, but said that the decision was not easy and took a great deal of careful consideration.
Mukherjee said the board did not consider any specific incidents – including the G20 and the investigation into Mayor Rob Ford -- in its discussion about whether to renew the chief’s contract.
Mayor Rob Ford, who has publicly criticized the chief a number of times, made a statement soon after the board released its' decision.
"I want to thank Chief Bill Blair for his service to the people of this city for the last 10 years," he said to a crowd of reporters waiting outside his city hall office. "The decision was made strictly with the Toronto Police Services Board. I look forward to working with the next police chief next April."
Ford refused to answer any questions from reporters about his relationship with Blair.
The two officials have had harsh words for each other in the past. Blair told reporters he was "disappointed" with the mayor's behaviour and drug use. The Toronto police investigated Ford extensively during an investigation into a drug ring in the city.
The mayor was heard calling Blair a "%^&*sucker" on video and Ford's brother Doug has called for him to step down, calling him "the most political police chief" in Toronto's history.
Councillors react
Following the decision, a number of councillors praised the chief, but said they respect the board’s decision.
“He (Blair) made a tremendous contribution. The board made a decision and I respect that decision,” Coun. Joe Mhevic told CP24, adding that Chief Blair had “two very full and active terms.”
Mhevic said he hopes that the board initiates as wide a search as possible in looking for a new chief.
Coun. John Parker quickly issued a tweet following the news, saying he regrets the decision not to renew Blair’s contract.
“I’ve appreciated the work of Chief Blair and I’ve appreciated the opportunity to work with him,” Parker told CP24.
Parker said he credits the chief for a more community-focused type of policing that he’s observed in his ward.
Coun. Doug Ford, who has also had harsh words with the chief in the past, issued a brief statement saying he wishes the chief well.
Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair will be forced to step down from his position after his term ends next April.
The Toronto Police Services Board announced Wednesday afternoon its' decision to not renew the chief’s contract.
"After considerable discussion related to the Toronto Police Service’s continuing need for organizational renewal, the Board has decided not to renew the employment agreement of Chief Blair,” the board said in a press release.
[h=2][/h] Police board's statement on Chief Blair
[h=2]Photos[/h]
In this file photo, Toronto police Chief Bill Blair is seen speaking to the media in Toronto in the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 17, 2012, following a mass shooting on Danzig Street. (The Canadian Press/Aaron Vincent Elkaim)
Blair’s final day in office will be April 25, 2015.
The chief has yet to publicly respond to the announcement.
Speaking to reporters following the announcement, TPS Board Chair Alok Mukherjee said Blair wanted to renew his contract, but the board decided it needed someone new in order to help renew the police service.
“The Board is very, very proud of the record of Chief Blair. The board has nothing but the highest regard for him and the board is very grateful and appreciative of his service to this community,” Mukherjee said.
Mukherjee would not disclose how close the board’s vote was, but said that the decision was not easy and took a great deal of careful consideration.
Mukherjee said the board did not consider any specific incidents – including the G20 and the investigation into Mayor Rob Ford -- in its discussion about whether to renew the chief’s contract.
Mayor Rob Ford, who has publicly criticized the chief a number of times, made a statement soon after the board released its' decision.
"I want to thank Chief Bill Blair for his service to the people of this city for the last 10 years," he said to a crowd of reporters waiting outside his city hall office. "The decision was made strictly with the Toronto Police Services Board. I look forward to working with the next police chief next April."
Ford refused to answer any questions from reporters about his relationship with Blair.
The two officials have had harsh words for each other in the past. Blair told reporters he was "disappointed" with the mayor's behaviour and drug use. The Toronto police investigated Ford extensively during an investigation into a drug ring in the city.
The mayor was heard calling Blair a "%^&*sucker" on video and Ford's brother Doug has called for him to step down, calling him "the most political police chief" in Toronto's history.
Councillors react
Following the decision, a number of councillors praised the chief, but said they respect the board’s decision.
“He (Blair) made a tremendous contribution. The board made a decision and I respect that decision,” Coun. Joe Mhevic told CP24, adding that Chief Blair had “two very full and active terms.”
Mhevic said he hopes that the board initiates as wide a search as possible in looking for a new chief.
Coun. John Parker quickly issued a tweet following the news, saying he regrets the decision not to renew Blair’s contract.
“I’ve appreciated the work of Chief Blair and I’ve appreciated the opportunity to work with him,” Parker told CP24.
Parker said he credits the chief for a more community-focused type of policing that he’s observed in his ward.
Coun. Doug Ford, who has also had harsh words with the chief in the past, issued a brief statement saying he wishes the chief well.
