Regina police Chief Farooq Sheikh suspended after public complaint

Regina Police Service Chief Farooq Sheikh has been suspended from duty after a complaint was made by a member of the public. 

In a Friday statement, the Board of Police Commissioners confirmed Sheikh has been suspended with pay, as required under the Police Act.

Details about the nature of the complaint have not been made public. 

The board says the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) is investigating the complaint. 

"The Board of Police Commissioners takes complaints seriously and has a duty to protect public confidence in the Regina Police Service (RPS) while the PCC investigates," a statement signed by board chair Yashu Bither says. 

WATCH | Regina's police chief has been suspended: 

Regina's police chief has been suspended

5 hours ago

Duration 1:06

Regina police Chief Farooq Sheikh has been taken off duty and is now being investigated after a community member filed a complaint against him.

The PCC is a five-person civilian body appointed by the provincial government. 

Deputy Chief Lorilee Davies will be the interim acting Regina police chief while Sheikh is suspended. 

Bither says no further comment will be issued while the investigation is underway. The board will be updated by the PCC once it has completed its investigation, and the public will be updated after that. 

The police service has directed all requests for comment to the PCC. 

In a statement, the PCC would only confirm that it is investigating and would not release additional details during the investigation. 

Sheikh was appointed police chief on Dec. 1, 2023, after serving as the chief of the Alberta sheriffs.