Durham Regional Police Deputy Chief Chris Kirkpatrick will not return to work and is retiring following an independent investigation into his conduct at a meeting attended by Black officers, civilian employees and community representatives.
The announcement that the Durham deputy chief retires follows a review by the Durham Regional Police Service Board and an investigation conducted by the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency.
The Board said the investigation concluded that Kirkpatrick’s actions constituted misconduct under Ontario’s Community Safety and Policing Act. The Board and Kirkpatrick subsequently agreed that their employment relationship would conclude.
Durham Deputy Chief Retires After Investigation
Kirkpatrick had been suspended with pay since February following an incident at a meeting involving the Afro-Caribbean Canadian Internal Support Network.
Media reports identified the language used during the meeting as the N-word. Durham Police Chief Peter Moreira previously said the language was not directed at a particular person but was offensive and inconsistent with the police service’s values.
The meeting included uniformed officers, civilian police employees and members of the Afro-Caribbean community organization.
After learning about the incident, Moreira notified the Durham Regional Police Service Board, which is responsible for overseeing discipline involving senior police leaders. The Board suspended Kirkpatrick while an independent investigation was completed.
The Board announced on July 27 that Kirkpatrick would not return to the workplace and would retire from the police service.
The official statement does not describe the outcome as Kirkpatrick being fired. It says both parties agreed to conclude the employment relationship.
LECA Found Conduct Amounted to Misconduct
The Law Enforcement Complaints Agency is an independent civilian oversight organization responsible for managing and overseeing public complaints involving Ontario police officers.
According to the Police Services Board, LECA’s investigation concluded that Kirkpatrick’s actions constituted misconduct under the Community Safety and Policing Act.
The public statement did not release the complete investigative report, identify the specific code-of-conduct provision applied or describe any additional evidence considered by investigators.
The Board said senior police leaders must be held to the highest conduct standards and that maintaining public trust is central to its responsibilities.
It also reiterated its commitment to developing an inclusive police workplace and ensuring that Durham Regional Police reflects and respects the communities it serves.
Kirkpatrick Joined Durham Police in 2023
Kirkpatrick joined the Durham Regional Police senior command team in fall 2023 after previously serving with the Toronto Police Service.
He and Kim Yeandle were appointed as Durham’s new deputy police chiefs during a broader leadership transition following Peter Moreira’s appointment as police chief.
Before his suspension, Kirkpatrick was responsible for areas connected with professional responsibility, corporate operations and support services.
The police service has not yet announced a permanent replacement or explained how Kirkpatrick’s former responsibilities will be reassigned.
Board Says Public Confidence Remains Priority
The Durham Regional Police Service Board is the civilian body responsible for police governance throughout Durham Region.
Its responsibilities include setting policing objectives and policies, monitoring the chief’s performance and ensuring that the Region receives adequate and effective police services.
The Board said it would continue working to maintain the confidence and support of the community following the misconduct finding.
The announcement that the Durham deputy chief retires closes Kirkpatrick’s employment with DRPS, but the Board’s public statement does not disclose the complete terms of the agreement or provide the full LECA investigation.
