TORONTO

Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders says attending former boss Bill Blair’s campaign meeting last month wasn’t meant to be political, but he understands the perception it may have left.

He says he’s learned his lesson.

“I did not intend to blur the distinction between my responsibilities as police chief and private citizen,” he told me in a note Thursday. “I will be more careful in the future.”

Still, he insists he didn’t intend for his involvement in the Aug. 28 meeting of Tamil Canadians who support Blair to be a political endorsement of the Liberal candidate in Scarborough Southwest.

Saunders was photographed in a white T-shirt at the event. Attendees at the Hilton Hotel say the chief told people he left his white police shirt in his car.

Key2news.com reported “Saunders gave his vote of confidence to Bill Blair for a senior cabinet post.” Sources say it was announced people will fundraise $10,000 for Blair and show “how Tamils in the riding will be identified and pulled out to come and vote” for him.

The Police Services Act clearly says police officers aren’t permitted to solicit money for political campaigns.

Saunders said he was more facilitator than participant.

“Members of the Tamil community, with whom I worked closely as unit commander of 12 Division, asked me to arrange a meeting for them with Bill Blair. I did that,” Saunders said. “This was not a fundraiser, there was no admission charge and no money was collected. I provided an introduction and stayed for a short period of time. Any mention or discussion about future fundraising for Bill was not anticipated and was not requested.”

As for the picture with his white T-shirt, he said: “I wear my uniform every day, from early in the morning to when I return home at night. I go to meetings and events throughout my day. It is not practical to change into and out of my uniform several times a day. When a uniform is not appropriate, I remove my shirt and hat.”

But the chief said he understands the confusion it may have caused.

Meanwhile, the other cop in the Scarborough Southwest race called out his boss.

“I am positive Chief Saunders’s involvement at Bill Blair’s fundraiser was a lapse of judgment, as he is contradicting the Ontario Police Services Act,” Roshan Nallaratnam said in a statement. “As the Conservative candidate for Scarborough Southwest, and as a front-line law enforcement officer (on political leave), I was shocked to hear about Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders’ involvement and endorsement for Bill Blair, the former Toronto Police chief and now the Liberal candidate for Scarborough Southwest.”

Nallaratnam also wrote he has the utmost respect for Saunders. He offered his chief a chance at redemption — albeit half in jest: “If Chief Saunders would like to remain neutral in this federal election, I would be more than happy to have him attend our next fundraiser.”

But after a day where Newstalk 1010 host Jerry Agar called Saunders an outed Liberal, the chief’s political meeting days may be over.

“Chief Saunders knows that partisan politics is not allowed for any on-duty police officer, including the chief,” police spokesman Meaghan Gray said. “He appreciates the efforts of all political candidates, regardless of party affiliation.”

No matter the reason, a chief should never appear political. Optics matter.

For Saunders, it’s a rookie mistake that might have been motivated by loyalty to his mentor, rather than politics.

Saunders should now realize he’s the chief 24/7, in or out of uniform, and he no longer works for Bill Blair.

joe.warmington@sunmedia.ca