The Regina Board of Police Commissioners has decided, based on an investigation by the Public Complaints Commission, to terminate the employment of Regina Police Chief Farooq Sheikh, with cause.

The Complainant in the investigation is a member of the Board of Police Commissioners who has not been identified but the PCC determined an allegation of the major discipline offence of Discreditable Conduct has been substantiated.

The PCC says that ongoing communications between the Chief and the Board member were kept from other members of the Board and the Regina Police Service. As well, the Chief and Board member engaged in an exchange of text messages during, and related to, an in-camera discussion from which the Chief had been excused while the Board discussed amendments to his contract.

In addition, the Commission says Chief Sheikh suggested to the Complainant that text messages between them be deleted as discovery of their communications became a risk. Finally, they say the Chief himself characterized the nature of the communications to the Commission ” in a manner that seriously offends the core RPS values of integrity, transparency and accountability” while not taking responsibility for his conduct.

The chief was temporarily removed from active duty in April pending the results of the investigation by Saskatchewan’s Public Complaints Commission. The Board says at the present time Deputy Chief Davies will remain in her role as Acting Chief with the Regina Police Service.