Regina’s Chief of Police temporarily removed from active service

WATCH: RPS Chief Sheikh has been removed from active service pending investigation results by the Public Complaints Commission. Donovan Maess reports.

Regina’s Chief of Police Farooq Sheikh has been temporarily removed from active service following a complaint by a community member, according to the Public Complaints Commission (PCC).

A reason behind the complaint was not made public.

In a news release, the PCC said no further comment will be made on the matter while the investigation is ongoing.

The Board of Police Commissioners will be notified once the PCC’s investigation has been completed, the release said.

According to the Police Act, 1990, when a public complaint is made regarding the actions of a police chief, an investigation can either be done by the PCC, by the police service with assistance of someone appointed by the PCC, or by a different police service.

If the PCC or the chairperson of the PCC find the complaint to be trivial or unfounded, the PCC may have the investigation terminated, the Police Act states.

As required by the Police Act, Sheikh will continue to be paid while away from active service.

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In an email to CTV News, the Regina Police Service said it will not be providing any further comment while the matter is under investigation by the PCC.

Regina’s Mayor Chad Bachynski also said he will have no comment during the investigation.

A spokesperson with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police said although the organization is unable to comment on individual cases, it “supports the frameworks of police oversight and accountability,” including investigation, since they are critical in ensuring public trust.

Deputy Chief Lorilee Davies will be the interim Acting Police Chief moving forward.

Sheikh was hired to be Regina’s Chief of Police on Nov. 7 of 2023 and assumed the role Dec. 1 of that year.

Before coming to Regina, Sheikh was the Chief of the Alberta Sheriff’s Service. He also held senior leadership roles with the London Metropolitan Police and West Midland Police in the U.K.

-With files from Caitlin Brezinski and Donovan Maess