(OTTAWA) Former Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly said on Monday he played a more direct role in the police response to the “freedom convoy” protest, outside of the chain of command, because he had begun to doubt his deputy leaders.
Posted at 11:36 a.m.
Mr. Sloly’s testimony before the Commission on the state of emergency, which began on Friday, continues on Monday. The public inquiry, chaired by Judge Paul Rouleau, is looking into the federal government’s use of Emergency Measures Act as protesters paralyzed downtown Ottawa for a few weeks last winter.
Several witnesses have so far criticized Mr. Sloly for having sown confusion and dysfunction in the ranks of the Ottawa police during the demonstration by not respecting the chain of command.
The resigning chief explains today that he was worried when his deputies appointed a new commander of operations without informing him.
Mr. Sloly resigned on February 15 amid widespread criticism of the Ottawa Police Service. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had just invoked the Emergencies Act the day before.
The investigation has so far highlighted conflict and confusion within police departments and at all levels of government after the convoy arrived in the federal capital in late January.
The main organizers of the protest are expected to testify at the commission’s hearings this week, starting with Chris Barber, one of several actors facing criminal charges for their involvement.