Ottawa Police Chief resigns amid massive ongoing protests

Ottawa’s chief of police, Peter Sloly has resigned, following intense criticism of how he has handled the occupation in that city. The announcement comes as the federal government releases new details about why it’s invoked the emergencies measures act to give police new powers to end the demonstration. The feds say those same powers helped end the blockade on Alberta’s border with the U.S. today, as well as one in B.C.

The police services board says deputy chief Steve Bell will be interim chief, and a new permanent replacement will be announced soon. Sloly was not at the public meeting but released a statement saying, “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.”

Mayor Jim Watson released a statement saying he supports the resignation, “…it had become clear that many members of the police board, city council, and the general public were not satisfied with the response of the police.”

The government published new details explaining the reasons behind yesterday’s invocation of the emergencies act, stating the border blockades and Ottawa occupation, as well as the vow of some participants to use “serious violence” for a political or ideological objective threaten Canadian security.

The government also cites the negative impact on the economy and the breakdown of the supply chain to and from the U.S. Public safety minister Marco Mendicino acknowledged the resignation today, saying Ottawa police, RCMP and OPP will work together through a new integrated command centre, utilizing new powers granted under the emergencies act to end the occupation. The invocation of the act was criticized by interim conservative leader Candice Bergen.

Acting chief Steve Bell says police have reached a turning point in dealing with the convoy, saying there is a plan to end the occupation, but he wouldn’t say what it was publically because it is an operational matter.