Overwhelming majority of Halifax Regional Police Association members vote no confidence in chief (update)

By CityNews Halifax Staff

It appears members of the Halifax Regional Police have lost confidence in their chief.

The Halifax Regional Police Association held the vote of confidence over the course of two weeks.

According to the results released today, when asked “I have confidence in Chief Daniel Kinsella’s ability to lead the Halifax Regional Police,” 96.6 per cent said no.

The HRPA says 83.7 per cent of members cast a ballot.

In an October interview, president Dean Stienburg told CityNews Halifax the union members have been patient throughout the chief's three years in charge, but it's time for a change.

The organization cited a lack of planning, not enough support for officers and a spike in occupational health and safety claims. 

The vote doesn't have any binding power, but in a news release, Stienburg said it's clear there are concerns.

He's calling on the municipality, mayor and province to take the results seriously.

In an emailed response, Kinsella said policing across the country is facing unprecedented challenges, including employee morale and wellness, attrition and recruitment, along with changing expectations of the profession.

“I have taken on our challenges very seriously and have focused on effective service delivery, accountability, our engagement with diverse communities, and have continued to work proactively to address staffing and member wellness issues,” the police chief stated.

“At every single step, the union leadership and particularly Sgt. Stienburg have been resistant to positive change, attacked my character repeatedly over these years, spread false information and acted divisively instead of trying to be part of much-needed cultural change.”

He said he knows work needs to be done to improve moral.

“With all of the traumatic experiences that policing has endured over the last few years and in recent weeks, and with us finally coming out of a pandemic, it is now time to come together,” Kinsella said. “

The road ahead won't be easy but we have to step up and respond as expected of us during these times. I am committed to that work, and to supporting our members through these difficult circumstances.”

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