Sault Ste. Marie police board chair and vice-chair resign amid tensions with city council

The chair and vice-chair of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board have resigned, citing concerns about political interference from city council and Mayor Matthew Shoemaker.

Former chair John Bruno and vice-chair Ian MacKenzie stepped down Friday, their resignations come amid growing tensions over the police force's financial management and board governance.

Both had served on the board for several years and resigned as the city continues its search for a new police chief.

MacKenzie opposed the board's decision not to consider former chief Hugh Stevenson for reappointment. After seven years as chief, Stevenson resigned in March to run as a federal Conservative candidate and later expressed interest in returning. 

In a statement to CBC News, Mayor Shoemaker said the resignations followed a May 12 council meeting where the board chair was asked to respond to concerns about back-to-back budget deficits totalling nearly $5 million.

"Nearly two months later – before responding to Council – the Chair and Vice-Chair resigned instead of providing the responses they had been preparing for months," Shoemaker said in the statement. 

"Contrary to the suggestions in their resignation letters, this line of questioning is not an act of inappropriate politicization – it is a necessary and responsible response to a deeply troubling situation. You cannot simply hand-wave aside a $5 million deficit. Hard questions must be asked so the public can receive honest answers and the organization can move forward."

Shoemaker said that the former chair and vice chair are now deflecting scrutiny by questioning the motives of those asking legitimate questions.

"I have seen this dynamic play out repeatedly since I rejoined the Police Services Board in February – shortly before the deficit came to light," he said. 

Shoemaker will serve as vice-chair of the police board for the remainder of the current term.

The board met the day after the resignations and named former city solicitor Nuala Kenny as chair. 

In a statement, the board thanked Bruno and MacKenzie for their service and said it remains "fully committed to its mandate of ensuring adequate and effective policing."

The board said hiring a new police chief remains a top priority, with interviews underway and a new appointment expected by the end of August. Ward 4 Coun. Marchy Bruni will take Bruno's place on the recruitment committee.