Peel Regional Police senior officers have formally called for the resignation of the man who oversees them, board chair Amrik Ahluwalia, accusing him of “insulting” the force.

A letter to fellow police obtained by the Star, written by the Peel Police Senior Officers Association — which represents senior ranks between inspector and staff superintendent as well as some civilian managers — states that these are “tumultuous times” as the board pushes for changes within the force.

“We have seen the Chair of the Police Services Board continue to make demeaning and insulting comments directed towards Chief (Jennifer) Evans and this organization,” states the letter dated June 24 and sent to “all members” of the force.

The letter also tells lower-ranking officers that senior staff passed a motion at an association meeting on June 23 “calling for the resignation of the Chair of the Police Services Board.”

The letter, signed by senior officers association president Randy Patrick, doesn’t provide details of the alleged insulting comments by Ahluwalia. Patrick didn’t respond to a request for comment.

The two most powerful people on the police board say Ahluwalia, who has pushed for sweeping reforms, isn’t going anywhere.

“Chair Ahluwalia has the full support of the board to press for modernization and new reforms,” said Bonnie Crombie, Mississauga’s mayor and a member of the board.

“Chair Ahluwalia continues to have my full support and confidence as well as that of the entire Police Services Board,” said Linda Jeffrey, Brampton mayor and a fellow board member.

Ahluwalia became chair after a board vote in January and has quickly led some bold moves, starting with the termination of the board’s long-time executive director Fred Biro, a close ally of Chief Evans.

Ahluwalia recently supported a sweeping equity and diversity audit of the force, despite initial resistance from Evans, who now says she will co-operate with the independent audit.

Backing for such moves by the mayors, who both enjoy strong support in their cities, according to recent polls, has built tensions between the board and Evans. The relationship had already begun to sour when the chief refused the board’s request last year to stop the practice of carding, also called street checks.

Evans didn’t respond to questions Monday about whether or not she supports the association’s call for the chair’s resignation.

However, she did say in her response that she was not a member of the association and that, “I remain committed to working with the board.”

Ahluwalia told the Star in an email that “change can be difficult.”

“As we strive to engage our community, there are bound to be growing pains,” he said.

“We expect that not everything the community tells us will be complimentary. We need to hear their stories, uncomfortable at times that they may be — in order to improve.”

A deputation two weeks ago by a local anti-discrimination group heavily criticized Evans for “failing” the community on carding and other equity and diversity issues. The group, Peel Coalition Against Racialized Discrimination, provided evidence from the force’s own carding data and other reports that have raised questions about the force’s hiring and promotion practices and about how it deals with officer misconduct.

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“In any workplace situation, there are associations and unions that play crucial roles in best representing the interests of its members. On the other hand, police board members have the job of best representing the interests of the public,” Ahluwalia said.

Crombie said the board hopes to meet soon with Evans to deal with mounting tensions.

Ahluwalia said he is determined to move forward with the full support of the mayors and the rest of the police board.

“This board continues towards openness and transparency. While we appreciate any concerns raised by the chief and the associations — the board is, without apology, moving forward with more accountability to the community. It is our duty. This is what the citizens of Peel Region expect from us and we will deliver. We hope we can all get there together, in the best interests of our citizens.”

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BOARD VS. CHIEF

Chief Jennifer Evans and the Peel Police Services Board have been in a tug-of-war for months. Some crucial points:

1. In September, following a June showdown between Chief Jennifer Evans and Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie over a request for a review of street checks, also known as carding, the board votes to ask Evans to suspend the controversial practice. Evans refuses the request from her board and tells them her officers will continue carding.

2. In January, the board replaces chair Laurie Williamson, who had been an Evans ally. Amrik Ahluwalia is elected chair. He immediately blasts a carding report brought forward by Evans, and the board as a whole slams the report, saying it fails to understand and address the real issues.

3. In April, the board, under Ahluwalia’s leadership, fires its long-time executive director, Fred Biro. Biro also had been a close ally of Evans and backed her pro-carding stance. The board promises sweeping changes to modernize the force and make it more accountable.

4. In June, following a scathing deputation by an anti-discrimination group, alleging that Evans has failed the community on equity and diversity issues, the board votes for an independent equity audit. Evans sends her own scathing letter to Ahluwalia and the board, criticizing the move.

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