Resignation from Calgary Police Commission

It has become apparent that I must resign my position as one of the two Councillors appointed to serve on the Calgary Police Commission. I do so reluctantly but confident that Council’s choice to replace me shares my commitment to a historic transformation of policing centered in Anti-Racism and Truth and Reconciliation.

I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to serve on Calgary’s Police Commission alongside some of the most knowledgeable, compassionate, and hardworking citizen volunteers in our city. I have the utmost faith in the meaningful work my fellow Commissioners will continue to push forward, despite systemic issues that favor those that actively resist needed reform and transformation.

Since April, I have recused myself from my role on Commission while the Calgary Police Service and their partner agency, the Edmonton Police Service, investigate an assault on me from two assailants following a near miss when they ran a stop sign, almost striking me and my dog in a crosswalk in Bridgeland.  

I have provided a detailed account of this incident to the police, members of Commission, and - due to the details of this incident being leaked to the media - I have also shared key details of the incident with the public at large. I believe this unprecedentedly prolonged timeframe should have been more than adequate for the investigation to reach a conclusion. After seven months, it appears my suspension has served the Calgary Police Service as it has kept a critic silenced through a variety of important oversight issues ranging from the thin blue line to the next four-year budget.

I believe, in their core values, that the vast majority of the Calgary Police Service’s sworn and civilian membership agree with the goal of creating a service that reflects and supports the diverse citizenry they serve. Further, while proponents of the status quo would have us believe that the current crisis in morale within the service is that of a general assault on the profession, I believe it results more from the impact of sending police officers to calls that don’t deal with criminality but rather with mental health, addictions, poverty, intergenerational trauma, and other systemic oppressions, for which the police are not properly equipped to handle.

As evidenced by my colleague Councillor Walcott’s own resignation, standing apart from an organization that requires change can be an important advocacy position and an essential addition to a program of reform. I take solace in this and I pledge to continue to lend my efforts to the transformation of policing in our city. I also recommit that my voice will be heard when the policing status quo results in injustices.

Additionally, my hope is that provincial reforms to Alberta’s Police Act can move us towards a better community governance model for policing; one that will allow local communities to better identify and bridge gaps in our current police oversight, as well as establish a clear vision of what a new system of emergency response can and should look like going forward.

I have confidence that virtually every Calgary police officer is simply trying to do their best under changing circumstances. They need clear direction and strong leadership from those they serve. 

I recommit to continuing my advocacy. I recommit to raising my voice when I see wrong. I recommit to standing strong in the face of adversity.

Yours truly,

GIAN-CARLO CARRA,
COUNCILLOR, WARD 9