Peter Sloly, Toronto police deputy chief, resigns after 27 years

Toronto Police Deputy Chief Peter Sloly, whose recent criticism of police operations in Toronto was seemingly at odds with the service, is resigning after a 27-year career.

Sloly, who applied to succeed Bill Blair in the top job last year but lost out to fellow deputy chief Mark Saunders, said he was not pushed out due to the contentious remarks.

"I'm leaving on my own terms," he told reporters at Toronto police headquarters following the Wednesday announcement. 

Sloly reflected fondly on his decades-long career with the service, calling it a "heck of a ride."

"Twenty-seven years in the best city, in the best country, in the best police service anywhere in the world," he said.

A statement from the Toronto Police Services Board said the resignation is effective immediately.

"Sloly leaves the service as a highly respected leader," wrote Andy Pringle, chair of the board.

Last month, the deputy chief received flak for remarks he made about the current state of policing and budgeting.

Mayor John Tory said Sloly's resignation is not related to the contentious comments.

"In fact, there was some discussions of this happening before those comments were made," he said. "The comments really don't have any relevance to this at all."

"He's made a contribution to policing in the city over a long period of time and I wish him very well in his future endeavours," Tory said.

On Wednesday, former mayor John Sewell, who heads a group that advocates for greater police accountability, said Sloly's decision to leave may send a message to other would-be reformers in the force.

"The fact that Peter Sloly said 'in this situation the best course of action for me is to retire and get out of the police force,' I think anybody else in the police force is going to say 'is it going to be worthwhile me coming up with some new innovative idea and talking about it?' I think they'll say no," Sewell told CBC News.

Mike McCormack, head of the police union, responded to Sewell's comments by saying that to call them an overstatement "would be an understatement."

When Sloly had made his comments about the state of policing and the force's budget, McCormack had characterized them as "inflammatory" and "self-serving."

After a planned annual leave during the turmoil, Sloly said he was "surprised" by the reaction, saying he said nothing the mayor or chief hadn't said or considered.