Edmonton police fee chair John McDougall is stepping down after public controversy over his plan to remain on the oversight physique till the top of 2026 from Portugal.
McDougall initially introduced final Friday that he’d proceed as a commissioner regardless of retiring to Portugal.
On Tuesday, he mentioned “after a lot reflection over the previous few days,” he’ll resign “efficient instantly.
“It’s clear that my residency could be an unwelcome distraction from the vital work of the fee, which isn’t truthful to the residents who depend on us to offer governance and oversight of the Edmonton Police Service,” he mentioned.
McDougall’s assertion got here after Public Security Minister Mike Ellis mentioned earlier Tuesday that he anticipated McDougall to resign his place as soon as he formally strikes to Portugal.
“John is in Portugal over the vacations whereas he’s organising his new residence there. He stays a resident of Edmonton. As soon as he completely strikes later in 2025, the expectation is that he would step down,” Ellis mentioned Tuesday morning.
On Friday, McDougall introduced his plan to proceed in his position after relocating to Portugal.
He mentioned on the time there is no such thing as a residency requirement for members of Edmonton police fee, and as a longtime resident of Edmonton, “my ties to this neighborhood don’t merely disappear after I step onto an airplane.”
He’s one among three Edmonton police fee members appointed by the provincial authorities. His assertion Friday mentioned he “sought approval from the minister’s workplace, and so they supported me on this determination.”
Ellis was requested about McDougall’s plans on Friday.
Initially, Ellis mentioned he wasn’t conscious the commissioner could be performing his duties from abroad.
In a subsequent assertion Friday, he mentioned he is aware of McDougall is repeatedly in Edmonton, including, “I stay up for John’s continued management on the fee presently.”
McDougall has been on the police fee for seven years, and most not too long ago served as chair. His time in that position was set to run out on the finish of 2024.
The police fee is ready to rent Edmonton’s new police chief subsequent yr after Dale McFee introduced he would depart the power in February.
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