Majority of Prince Albert police lack confidence in chief: union

The Prince Albert Police Association (PAPA) says a recent online vote found most members of the city’s police service don’t have confidence in Chief Jonathan Bergen.

According to a news release Thursday, PAPA held a membership meeting on June 29. Due to COVID-19 regulations, they said three sessions were held with a maximum of 30 people taking part at one time.

A member put forward a motion at the first session asking for a confidence vote on Bergen, according to the release. The motion was seconded, followed by a discussion. The member who made the motion, as well as the seconder, attended all three sessions for further discussion.

After the last meeting, PAPA said it conducted an online vote asking, “Are you confident in Chief Jon Bergen?”

The union reported 71 per cent of the 94 members who voted said no. Ten members did not vote.

“PAPA wants the PA Police Service to be a professional organization that meets the needs of the citizens of Prince Albert and the members of PAPA,” read the statement.

“PAPA will be meeting with the Chief soon to address ongoing concerns that were brought by members at the meeting. The executive of PAPA will be deciding on next steps soon,” the statement continued.

The release noted that association president Brian Glynn resigned from his position on Wednesday for personal reasons and other executive members are away on annual leave.

Mayor Greg Dionne declined to comment on the matter Thursday evening, saying he didn’t yet have enough information. He indicated he would provide a response on Friday.

Bergen was sworn in as Prince Albert police chief in December 2018 after previously serving in the role in an acting capacity following the departure of Troy Cooper, who left to become chief of the Saskatoon Police Service. Bergen was raised in Prince Albert and has been a member of the Prince Albert Police Service for over 20 years.