Calgary Police Commission won't say if former chief received severance pay

The Calgary Police Commission has declined to say if former chief Mark Neufeld received a severance payment after he resigned this spring with two years left on his contract.

CBC News asked the commission if Neufeld was paid out for the remainder of his two years under contract, and received a statement in response.

"While the Calgary Police Commission certainly understands the interest in Chief Neufeld's recent resignation, we are not legally able to provide any further details as it is a confidential personnel matter," it reads. 

Ward 7 Councillor Terry Wong was also asked about severance pay for Neufeld but did not provide any details.

"You have to appreciate employment contracts are employment contracts between an organization and a person's individual rights," he said.

CBC News first reported Neufeld's resignation on May 2, after it obtained a copy of an email sent to members of the force letting them know his resignation had been accepted.

Neufeld was sworn in on June 10, 2019. His contract was supposed to run until 2027.

Political analyst argues police should provide more answers

Lori Williams, a political analyst at Mount Royal University, said it's "entirely appropriate" for taxpayers to expect more information about severance payments for high-profile public figures. 

"There's an understandable expectation on the part of the public that this information be available," she said. 

"They also want to know, especially at a time when affordability is such an issue for many people, that their precious tax dollars are being spent wisely."

Williams added the lack of information raises questions about the reasons for Neufeld's departure from the force.

"The fact that there aren't any answers forthcoming does lead to speculation that something untoward occurred," she said. "We have no idea."

Williams also said it's important that the Calgary Police Service manages concerns raised by the public to maintain public trust.

The City of Calgary and CPS have provided details on severance pay for executives on some previous occasions.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek's former chief of staff, Stephen Carter, received approximately $100,000 in severance pay after he was dismissed in 2022.

Severance pay numbers were also made public when two deputy police chief positions were eliminated by former police chief Rick Hanson after he took charge of the force in 2007.

One former deputy chief, Dean Young, received $362,744 in severance pay. Another, Peter Davison, took home $341,923.

After Neufeld's resignation, Katie McLellan was sworn in as interim CPS chief earlier this month.

In a news release issued earlier this month, the Calgary Police Commission said it will not immediately start a search for a new, permanent police chief.