Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders , the first Black leader of Canada's largest municipal police service, is resigning July 31 — a surprise move that comes with eight months left in his contract and amid growing calls for police reform locally and across North America. Monday's sudden announcement, which has stunned both rank and file and higher-ups in his own force, comes at a time of upheaval for Saunders' profession. Just three days ago, Saunders — an officer of 37 years, all of them in Toronto — took a knee as a sign of solidarity with protesters decrying police use of force against Black citizens and amid growing calls to " defund" police organizations . By then, he knew he was leaving. Days before, Saunders had advised the Toronto police board and Mayor John Tory that he was stepping down early — despite the civilian police board last summer extending his contract into a sixth year, to April 2021, so he could continue his central task of modernizing the force. But Saunders did not say his resignation was in response to ongoing demonstrations, telling reporters at a news conference he is stepping down now for "a whole host of reasons"… Read full this story
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Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders — the force’s first Black leader — steps down, stunning his own staff have 318 words, post on www.thestar.com at June 8, 2020. This is cached page on CuBird. If you want remove this page, please contact us.