HUMAN RESOURCE REFORMS CAN’T COME SOON ENOUGH, CHIEF SAYS

One year to the day after a damning report highlighting harassment and toxic work environments within the city’s police service, Calgary’s top cop says its HR reforms aren’t happening fast enough.

Speaking at the end of Tuesday’s police commission meeting, police Chief Roger Chaffin lamented the length of time it’s taken to put in place much-needed changes in how the Calgary Police Service manages its human resources. “They’ve not moved fast enough,” he said.

Deputy Chief Ray Robitaille offered an update to ongoing HR reforms on Tuesday, saying they plan to have an independent HR adviser in place by January 2018. As well, plans are in motion to install a civilian chief human resources officer — directly reporting to Robitaille — to oversee the service’s personnel.

Earlier this year, CPS unveiled a framework to address four priorities identified by the service: establishing an independent third-party advocate to assist employees in addressing concerns, strengthening the CPS respectful workplace office, optingin to the City of Calgary’s existing whistleblower program, and conducting an independent audit of the service’s HR practices.

During the commission’s January meeting, officer Jen Magnus publicly turned in her badge due to bullying and ongoing harassment at the hands of fellow officers. She’s one of 13 current and former CPS members who’ve made public their intention to file formal harassment complaints.