Tuesday December 22, 2015

De Caire’s resignation for Mac job surprises police board

In a move that shocked many, Hamilton police Chief Glenn De Caire announced he is leaving policing and taking on a new role as director of security and parking at McMaster University.

De Caire gave his bosses at the Hamilton Police Services Board just 15 minutes’ notice before he released the news via a two-page letter at 1 p.m. Friday.

“All the essential parts are in place,” De Caire wrote after several paragraphs describing the accomplishments of the service during his tenure.

The news came mere weeks after De Caire pursued and accepted a two-year extension to his controversial term as chief.

At a hastily called news conference Friday afternoon, police board chair and city councillor Lloyd Ferguson said he received the chief’s resignation “with great surprise and some regret.”

“The chief and I have worked very well together during my two years as chair,” Ferguson said as he praised the changes in budgeting and policing that have taken place during De Caire’s tenure.

“The singular most impressive program put in place by Chief De Caire is the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team,” Ferguson said, referring to a joint police/St. Joseph’s hospital initiative that pairs a mental-health worker and constable on daily patrols.

Board member Terry Whitehead said Friday afternoon that “we had no idea” the chief was retiring.

“The chief maintained that he wanted another four years and wanted to keep the job,” he said. “There was no sign that was not sincere.”

At Friday’s news conference, De Caire explained that he had applied for the McMaster job before his board had committed on Nov. 19 to extending his term as chief. “I had no conflict (of interest).” (Source: Hamilton Spectator)