Ottawa Police Service Chief Peter Sloly resigns as fallout from Freedom Convoy amidst allegations of harassment

BY PAUL JUNOR

There was much expectation and hope that newly appointed Police Chief Peter Sloly would make a significant impact in the nation’s capital when he was appointed in 2019.

Peter Sloly was a veteran police officer that served for twenty-seven years with the Toronto Police Service before he was appointed to be Deputy Chief in 2017. He acquired a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from McMaster University in 1988, a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Schulich School of Business at York University in 2004, and completed the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) Police Executive Leadership Program at University of Toronto- Rotman School of Management in 2007.

During his time with the TPS, Peter was known for his social media savvy. Frank Trovata (Founder TNT Justice Consultants) wrote on LinkedIn, “You won’t find many street cops recommending senior officers on LinkedIn I am sure… but for Peter Sloly’s vision of police work and his use of social media as a tool to accomplish community and employee engagement and safety… I can say as a Constable working under this Deputy Chief… that this guy walks the talk. Two thumbs up onwards and upwards, positivity and leadership.”

In many ways, the Jamaican-born Sloly who grew up in Scarborough rose to the rank of Deputy Chief in the TPS for seven years. When TPS’s Chief Bill Blair left, many within the police force thought he would have replaced him. Instead, the top job was given to Mark Saunders. His subsequent resignation from the TPS and return to the private sector for two years eventually propelled him to be the head of the Ottawa Police Service (OPS). No one could have anticipated what the impact of the Freedom Convoy, which descended upon Ottawa on January 29^th, 2022, would have on the leadership of the OPS.

The occupation of the truckers and disruptions and pressures that were presented in Ottawa caused many to look towards the leadership of the OPS. After three weeks of occupation, CBC News:The National reported on Tuesday, February 15^th, 2022 that Chief Soly resigned under pressure from different sectors about his leadership.

Undoubtedly, Ottawa had never seen anything like this before in the history of the city and it was in uncharted territory. Chief Sloly tried to allay the fears of many residents whose lives and businesses were severely impacted. Eventually, it was reported that Sloly’s departure came amidst allegations of divisions within the highest ranks of the force. Multiple sources told CBC News he berated, belittled, and bullied senior officers, and that at least three incident commanders tasked with dealing with the protests were reassigned after disagreements with him, and that conflicts between Sloly and the OPP and RCMP led to delays in reinforcements being deployed.

Diane Deans, Chair of the OPS board in response to the question, “Did Peter Sloly quit?” responded that, “I think you can appreciate that it is a labour relations issue and I am not able to comment on the specifics.” Furthermore, Matt Skof, president of the Ottawa Police Association told CBC News, “Given the magnitude of the attention that this demonstration has garnered, I think it’s inevitable that the leadership of the organization will be asked to step down.”

In a statement released to the media after his resignation, Chief Sloly writes, “Since the onset of this demonstration, I have done everything possible to keep this city safe and put an end to this unprecedented and unforeseeable crisis. We have acquired new resources and enforcement tools. I am confident the Ottawa Police Service is now better positioned to end this occupation.”