Widespread dissatisfaction in Calgary Police Service, employee survey finds
Lack of communication and organizational change among reasons for low morale
A recent employee survey shows widespread discontent and low morale within the Calgary Police Service, just the latest blow for a force that's facing criticism over police shootings, violent arrests, workplace bullying and criminal prosecutions of members.
"I take 100 per cent responsibility for it. It's my job to lead the organization and to make sure we don't get caught in believing we're doing a good job when they're telling us we're not," said police chief Roger Chaffin in response to a survey which showed, among other things, 47 per cent of employees said workplace satisfaction had declined.
Reasons for that decline in morale is linked to poor communication from the executive, the vision for the service and organizational changes.
Chaffin said the service has been a victim of what he calls ''negative churn" in recent months. That includes 10 police shootings this year — the highest in the country — a series of violent arrests caught on tape, the court cases of several members for charges ranging from kidnapping to domestic assault, and allegations of bullying within the service.
'Exactly what you want from an employee survey'
Brian Theissen, the new chair of the Calgary Police Commission, said he's actually pleased with the survey results, in a way.
"I think the employee survey was exactly what you want from an employee survey," he said. "It told you things you didn't want to hear, it told us that we need to improve on communication at the executive level, the executive of the police service definitely got that message."
Theissen said the executives have to be better at talking to members of the service and getting out to the districts to do so.
"Clearly the members on the street want to engage with the executive and tell them what their real concerns are."
Shootings
He also said he's heartened by the fact the police have proactively reached out to the provincial justice minister in order to have an independent adjudicator examine their policies around shootings.
"I think for member of the public who are concerned, like the commission is concerned about police shootings, I'm cautiously optimistic that the service is heading in the right direction," he said.
The survey also found some members felt over-worked, that the service is understaffed and that call response times have increased.
Chaffin said he's hoping for a calmer 2017, with less organizational adjustments and less of the stress that comes along with it.
On mobile? Read the full survey here.
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With files from Dan McGarvey