Chief Constable Mark Neufeld resigned Friday after six years as head of the Calgary Police Service (CPS), the Calgary Police Commission announced in a news release. No further information was provided as to his resignation. The commission said it has appointed Katie McLellan as interim chief, effective immediately.
Neufeld’s resignation comes two years after the Commission approved a three-year extension to his contract in 2023, a move that would have kept him in the role through 2027. Neufeld was sworn in as Chief in the spring of 2019 and was the fifth person in as many years to lead the Service.
"It has been an honour and pleasure to serve Calgarians and to have done so alongside the amazing members, both sworn and civilian, of the Calgary Police Service," Neufeld said in the Commission’s news release.
"I am grateful for the warm welcome me and my family received from Calgarians when we relocated here, and for all the support we’ve received since. I have been very involved in the community over the past six years, and value the relationships that have been forged. I also value the strong support the CPS receives from Calgarians. I wish the rest of the organization nothing but success moving forward. I also want to thank the Calgary Police Commission as well as Council for their ongoing support of both the CPS and myself while I was Chief."
The Commission said that, "due to the significant events coming to Calgary this summer and to ensure stability during a time of high demand on the Service," it will not immediately begin a search for a new police chief.
According to the release, Chief McLellan joined CPS in 1987, spending the first 13 years of her career in frontline areas. As she rose through the ranks, she worked in investigative sections and became the first Inspector of the Criminal Operations Section. More recently, she has helped lead community partnerships and changes to how police respond to people in crisis.
During a break in her policing career, she also worked in security operations for international oil and gas exploration.
The Commission said it is confident McLellan will ensure a smooth transition, including minimizing any impacts to G7 security planning and other key policing initiatives underway as Calgary prepares for a busy summer.
"Chief McLellan also has extensive experience working with community partners to address crime and social disorder in public spaces, making her a strong leader to continue this work," the release stated.
Commission Chair Amtul Siddiqui said the board is "grateful to Chief Neufeld for his many years of service, both in Calgary and other communities across Alberta."
"He helped make great strides throughout his career in improving how police misconduct is addressed and guided the Calgary Police Service through some very tumultuous times. We wish him all the best in his next chapter," she said.
Before joining CPS in 2019, Neufeld served as chief of the Camrose Police Service and previously held the rank of superintendent with the Edmonton Police Service. He also completed two secondments with the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, including one as director of investigations.
Neufeld began his policing career in 1992 with the Vancouver Police Department.
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