A Durham police deputy chief who was suspended earlier this year over his alleged use of a “racially inappropriate term” during a meeting is not returning to work and has decided to retire from the service after an investigation found his action constituted misconduct. The Durham Regional Police Services Board announced on Monday that it had agreed with Deputy Chief Chris Kirkpatrick to conclude their employment relationship following a review of the investigation conducted by the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) The board said LECA found Kirkpatrick guilty of misconduct under the Community Safety and Policing Act. LECA is an independent civilian oversight agency that handles public complaints regarding police conduct in Ontario. Kirkpatrick allegedly used a slur during a February meeting of the Afro-Caribbean Canadian Internal Support Network (ACC-ISN). The network provides a “supportive and inclusive space” for Afro-Caribbean Canadian sworn and civilian members of the service. Days after the meeting, DRPS Chief Peter Moreira announced that Kirkpatrick was suspended with pay while a third-party investigation was conducted. “As the civilian governing body of the DRPS, the Board takes seriously its responsibility to uphold the public’s trust in policing. Ensuring that members of the leadership team are held to the highest standards of conduct is central to that responsibility,” the board said in Monday’s statement. “The Board remains deeply committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and culture, and to ensuring that the DRPS reflects and respects the diverse communities it serves. These values are fundamental to how this Service operates and how it earns the trust of the public every day.”
