Prince Albert police chief retires after review proves officer neglect in infant death | 24CA News
The Prince Albert Chief of Police resigned Thursday after an investigative report was publicly launched proving neglect of responsibility within the loss of life of an toddler.
An inquest into the loss of life of 13-month-old Tanner Brass stated that members of the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) didn’t appropriately carry out their duties on the day he died.
Tanner died on Feb. 10, 2022, in a house in Prince Albert. Police have been referred to as to the house earlier that morning to deal with a home dispute.
The officers didn’t enter the home to examine on Tanner, leaving him locked inside together with his father who his associate claimed was intoxicated and abusive. Tanner died later that morning and his father was charged together with his second-degree homicide. The matter might be tried earlier than the courts in February 2024.
The outcomes of the investigation left the Prince Albert police chief to resolve on any disciplinary actions in opposition to the officers.
However, in a media assertion Thursday night, Bergen stated he’s unable to simply accept the accountability and introduced his retirement from the drive.
“It is very public knowledge that my decisions as Chief in this matter have become the subject of escalating criticism and personal attack from a specific core of current and past members of the Prince Albert Police Service,” Bergen’s assertion learn.
“The circumstances of the attacks on my family leave me in a position that, if I were to accept the responsibilities on me as Chief of Police under the Investigation Report released today – to discipline members, or to further investigate supervising members – it could be misrepresented as biased and influenced by the manner in which my family has been treated.”
Bergen stated he confronted backlash from members of the PAPS when he determined to droop the 2 officers concerned pending the overview.
“The Service has left those members unsupported and vulnerable,” he stated. “These decisions have been personally difficult for me, as have other decisions that I have made that have motivated a very persistent and extraordinary assault on my character, harassment of my family, and criticism of members of my executive team over the past 3 years.”
Bergen added he nonetheless stands by his selections.
“I am, for these reasons, and with a very full heart, announcing my retirement from the Prince Albert Police Service after 25 years,” Bergen introduced.
His retirement date is May 31. In the meantime, an interim Chief of Police might be organized with the Saskatoon Police Service.
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