Calgary’s new interim police chief addresses ‘sudden’ change in leadership

Katie McLellan has been sworn in as Calgary’s police chief. Her appointment comes ahead of the G7 and after the surprising resignation of Mark Neufeld.

Calgary’s new interim police chief, Katie McLellan, was introduced to the city on Wednesday, following former chief Mark Neufeld’s abrupt resignation last week.

McLellan will be serving as chief on an interim basis until the Calgary Police Commission conducts a full search to fill the role.

She said, however, that the commission is in no rush to conduct a search as a busy summer with the G7 Summit and Calgary Stampede approaches.

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“So, for now, and into the near future, I am the chief of police,” McLellan told reporters Wednesday, clarifying that she has the full power and authority that come with the role.

She also recognized that the change in leadership was “sudden” and wanted to reassure Calgarians.

“The mission of the Calgary Police Service remains the same: to continue delivering exceptional public service and to help make Calgary the best, safest city in the country with the best police service,” McLellan said.

On its website, the police service says McLellan brings “a unique perspective and background combining policing and security experience from both the private and public sectors.”

McLellan first joined the Calgary Police Service in 1987, after immigrating from Scotland. Over the years, she worked in numerous roles and sections with the police force before transitioning into a corporate security role in 2013.

McLellan returned to public policing in May 2018, joining the RCMP, and took on another role with CPS in late 2019.

“I’ve literally grown up in this Calgary Police Service,” she said.

Addressing a resource shortage, particularly on the frontlines, is among the most pressing priorities for McLellan and the rest of the CPS leadership group.

“We continue to look at ways we can modernize our service delivery and improve our overall service to Calgarians,” she said.

“However, this issue also needs to be addressed through growth in resources. I will continue to advocate for this and will be working closely with the Calgary Police Commission to address the needs of the service, particularly in the next four-year budget cycle.”

Preparing for the G7 Summit in Kananaskis next month is now the “number one priority” for CPS.

McLellan also announced deputy chiefs Chad Tawfik and Raj Gill have retired from the police service.

Superintendents Cliff O’Brien and Asif Rashid were promoted to deputy chiefs, effective Monday, and executive director Katherine Murphy was promoted to chief strategy officer and general counsel, the civilian equivalent of a deputy chief position.

Those three will fill the roles vacated by Tawfik, Gill and McLellan.

The Calgary Police Association (CPA) said it welcomes the opportunity to work with McLellan.

“We know that many of the issues our members face, including understaffing, remain unresolved—but changes in leadership brings new opportunities,” CPA president John Orr said in a statement.

“We are optimistic that this shift in leadership will lead to a renewed focus on the needs of our members and meaningful progress on the issues that matter to them most.”

Since his resignation on Friday, no reason for Neufeld’s resignation has been given.

In a statement, Neufeld said he was honoured to have served Calgarians as chief for the past six years.

“I wish the rest of the organization nothing but success moving forward,” he said in the statement.

“I also want to thank the Calgary Police Commission as well as council for their ongoing support of both the (Calgary Police Service) and myself while I was chief.”