Another Edmonton police commissioner resigns after conflict-of-interest probe

The Edmonton Police Commission announced that one of its commissioners resigned Friday afternoon, following an independent, third-party conflict-of-interest review.

After receiving the review's findings, the commission voted Thursday to have Renée Vaugeois return to the board, with rules in place to manage any conflicts of interest.

"It has become clear that my continued presence may inadvertently cause distraction and tension that could hinder the important work ahead," said Vaugeois in a news release issued by the commission Friday.

"I have made the difficult decision to step away in the interest of supporting the commission's ability to serve our community effectively and to ensure that focus remains where it belongs: on providing strong oversight and support to the Edmonton Police Service."

The commission said in its release that it can manage existing real, perceived or potential conflicts through its existing policy and procedures, as well as implementing more rules.

On Jan. 16, the appointments of a new commission chair and vice-chair were overshadowed, as the Alberta government committed to an inquiry into the appointments of two new commission members — Vaugeois, who is the executive director of the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, and Dan Jones, the NorQuest College justice studies chair.

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) had sought provincial intervention in city council's appointments of Vaugeois and Jones to the commission, which oversees the service. An Edmonton Police Service lawyer said on Jan 30. that concerns about possible conflicts of interest drove the request.

The EPS' request to the provincial government for ministerial intervention under Alberta's Police Act is separate from the commission's independent review.

The commission said it will not be releasing further information, citing privacy. It considers the matter closed.

"The conflict of interest review was conducted in accordance with the board's guidelines, procedures, and policy, and the commission has fulfilled all its legal obligations and requirements throughout this process," said commission chair Ben Henderson in Friday's news release.

Vaugeois declined an interview request, saying she would likely issue a statement next week on the matter.

Jones resigned from the board on Jan. 16, after his appointment to the commission was announced on the same day. 

In December, Henderson replaced John McDougall as commission chair, after public controversy over McDougall's plan to serve on the oversight body until the end of 2026 while living in Portugal.