Calgary Police Service Chief Constable Mark Neufeld has resigned as chief after six years on the job.
The Calgary Police Commission, in a release on Friday afternoon, made the announcement of the Chief’s departure. Katie McLellan has been appointed as interim chief, effective immediately.
No reason was given for Neufeld’s departure.
“Our Commission is grateful to Chief Neufeld for his many years of service, both in Calgary and other communities across Alberta,” said Amtul Siddiqui, Chair of the Calgary Police Commission, in the prepared media release.
“He helped made great strides throughout his career in improving how police misconduct is addressed and guided the Calgary Police Service through some very tumultuous times. We wish him all the best in his next chapter.”
Chief Neufeld said that it’s been an honour and pleasure to serve Calgarians for the past six years.
“I am grateful for the warm welcome me and my family received from Calgarians when we relocated here, and for all the support we’ve received since. I have been very involved in the community over the past six years, and value the relationships that have been forged. I also value the strong support the CPS receives from Calgarians,” he said in the release.
“I wish the rest of the organization nothing but success moving forward. I also want to thank the Calgary Police Commission as well as Council for their ongoing support of both the CPS and myself while I was Chief.”
Neufeld was the police chief in Camrose before taking the position here in Calgary. He was also serving as the president of the Alberta Association of the Chiefs of Police.
The Chief still had two years left on his contract with the City of Calgary.
Calls were made to members of the Calgary Police Commission, but they could not provide a comment.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek was also not able to comment on the resignation, saying that it was a personnel matter that was under the jurisdiction of the Calgary Police Commission.
Back in February, Edmonton police Chief Dale McFee retired. He took up a post as the top civil servant in the Alberta government, according to a story from the CBC.
CPC confident of a smooth transition with McLellan
McLellan, a 38-year veteran of policing and security, joined CPS in 1987 and spent the first 13 years as a front-line officer, according to information provided by the Calgary Police Commission.
She’s spent time in investigative areas, including being the first Inspector of the Criminal Operations Section. She’s also been a part of rebuilding community partnerships, including how police officers respond to people in crisis.
Chief McLellan will come in at a time when Calgary is preparing for the G7 summit, along with the upcoming Calgary Stampede. Because of these major events coming to Calgary shortly, the Calgary Police Commission said that it won’t be starting a search for a new chief immediately.
“Our Commission fully supports and has full confidence in Chief McLellan,” said Chair Siddiqui. “We are looking forward to working with her on the issues that matter to Calgarians and challenges facing members of CPS.”
Ward 7 Coun. Terry Wong, who sits as a member of the police commission, provided a brief statement Friday afternoon.
“I would like to offer my sincere appreciation to Mark Neufeld for his service at the Calgary Police Service as Chief Constable following his announced resignation,” Coun. Wong wrote in a text message to the media.
“I look forward to working with Katie McLellan in her new assignment as Interim Chief Constable. I remain confident that Calgary is a safe and secure city during this transition through our great women and men under the great banner of Calgary Police Services.”
