Alderman won't back Durrant
Suzanne Wilton, with files from Tony Seskus
October 08, 2004
Calgary's longest serving alderman says he won't back the head of the police commission -- under fire for not acting on information about an alleged drunk driving incident involving an officer -- for re-appointment when her term expires at the end of this month.
Dale Hodges, in his seventh term on city council, said Thursday the civilian body that oversees the police departments needs stronger leadership than has been provided by Sandy Durrant.
"No," Hodges bluntly said when asked whether he would support Durrant's reappointment to the commission.
Hodges was one of several aldermen to express concern about the commission Thursday.
Durrant, the civilian body's chairwoman, said through a spokesman on Thursday that she will seek another two-year term.
Council appoints members of the commission. It's then up to the commissioners to appoint a chair.
Commissioner Darren Caul said Durrant will "absolutely not" resign, despite calls for her step down by the head of the Alberta Civil Liberties and Privacy Association.
Caul said Thursday the entire nine-member commission0n stands behind Durrant, who is embroiled in controversy surrounding who knew what and when with regard to an alleged drunk-driving incident involving a police officer.
"The commission is united in its position . . . and is very satisfied with the leadership and the commitment that it has benefitted from through Sandy Durrant's work," said Caul.
The civil liberties association called for Durrant's resignation after the commission chairwoman revealed she knew about an alleged drunk driving incident involving a police officer for months but did nothing about it.
The police chief asked that an outside agency investigate the allegations after a letter was written to Alberta's solicitor general.
Durrant said she could not act on the information earlier because it was a rumour, and did not come to the commission as a formal, written complaint.
Even before this incident, however, Durrant's leadership was an issue for Hodges, said the 21-year alderman.
"I don't think she's supplying strong enough leadership in terms of the final priorities and goals. I think she's a nice person but I think we need a stronger, more focused police commission."
But Hodges, a leader among his peers and the elder statesman of city council, is just one vote of 15.
The other aldermen, the majority of whom are running for re-election, were reluctant to say whether Durrant will get their vote, but many expressed concern about the independence of the police commission from the police.
Ald. Linda Fox-Mellway said the commission's explanation that it didn't act on the drunk driving allegations because it didn't have a written complaint isn't good enough.
"If I get something in my office that's a rumour, I check it out -- I don't need it in writing," said Fox-Mellway.
"I'm sure there will be a detailed and thorough discussion on police commission appointees on organizational day on council," said Ald. Linda Fox-Mellway.
Ald. Gord Lowe wouldn't wade into a debate over Durrant's future. But Lowe, who served as citizen member of the police commission from 1991 to 1994, maintained that the organization needs to continue moving toward a more business-like approach.
© Calgary Herald 2004