A Durham police deputy chief who was suspended earlier this year over his alleged use of a “racially inappropriate term” is not returning to work and is retiring. The Durham Regional Police Service Board made the announcement in a social media post on Monday. “After a thorough investigation by the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA) and careful review and deliberation, the Durham Regional Police Service Board and Deputy Chief Chris Kirkpatrick have agreed that their employment relationship be concluded. Deputy Chief Kirkpatrick will not be returning to the workplace and is retiring from the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS),” the board’s statement read. “The board has carefully reviewed the findings of the LECA investigation, which concluded that Deputy Chief Kirkpatrick’s actions constituted misconduct under the Community Safety and Policing Act.” 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. Kirkpatrick said in a brief statement to CP24 at the time that he was ready to fully co-operate with the investigation. LECA is an independent civilian oversight agency that handles public complaints regarding police conduct in Ontario.
