Prince Albert police chief announces retirement

By Nigel Maxwell

Surrounded by several members of the Prince Albert Police Service, Chief Jon Bergen has confirmed plans to retire on May 31.

The 25-year member of the city’s police service made the announcement Thursday afternoon, during a press conference in which various members of the city’s staff and board of police commissioners were represented, as well as the Prince Albert Grand Council.

“To the community of Prince Albert, my life’s home, it has been my greatest honour to serve you,” Bergen said as he removed his glasses and wiped away tears.

Over the past three years, Bergen has been the subject of two non-confidence votes by members of the police association. The most-recent one occurred just weeks after the death of a 13-month-old boy, the launch of an investigation by the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) and the suspension of two officers.

Bergen explained he would have preferred to have had the opportunity to address those issues in person, and not after it was sent to the media.

“It’s difficult for us to try and resolve any conflict when we don’t know what the conflict is and so that was also very disheartening,” he said.

During the media conference, Bergen also cited a number of personal and defamatory attacks against him and his team. Some of the examples included his wife and daughter cleaning up malicious posters that had been scattered across the city, as well as his daughter being followed around the city by members of the police service.

“I’m not sure why our current president would run the licence plate of a car that was parked in our garage at 2:30 in the morning, especially when it was three days after the death of Baby Tanner,” Bergen said.

Bergen’s announcement came just hours after the release of a report by the PCC that found the police negligent in the death of Tanner Brass. Bergen, who was the one to initially refer the matter for an independent investigation at arm’s length from the service, said there were members who took issue with his decision and felt the police service should have investigated itself.

“My decision to remove the two members involved from active service pending the Public Complaints Commission’s review of the matter has resulted in very vocal criticism that the service has left those members unsupported and vulnerable. This weighs heavy on me,” he said.

Until a new chief of police can be hired, an unnamed member of the Saskatoon Police Service will fill the void as interim chief. When asked by reporters about the decision to seek help from an external agency, Bergen explained there had been extensive dialogue within the Board of Police Commissioners.

“I think it’s the right direction,” he said.

What legacy does Bergen leave behind?

Reflecting on the past five years, Bergen noted a number of challenges related to the economy and increases in violent crime, as well as addictions and social issues. And then of course there was the pandemic.

“I had a police service where I had to ask police officers to continue to serve in a way that was putting them at risk but also their families,” he said.

With respect to achievements, Bergen cited the introduction of a new wellness strategy that was being incorporated across the country, as well as the addition of a number of new officer positions.

Response from the Board of Police Commissioners

Newly appointed police board chair Janet Carrier was among those in attendance for Thursday’s media conference and relayed to paNOW her own sadness to see Bergen go.

“Jonathan is a very kind human being. He does everything with integrity. He has worked hard to build relationships in the community, to learn from the community and has made really great strides in building those relationships in particular with our Indigenous community,” she said.

Response from the Prince Albert Police Association

Current president Nolan Carter provided a statement to paNOW in which he wished Bergen well in his future endeavours.

“The Association is very excited with this news — it leads into a new ERA, a new beginning with a new Chief, and the Prince Albert Police Association and all Members are excited to fully support and assist in building strong relationships within the Service and the Community,” it read.

Prince Albert police response to PCC report

Prior to announcing his plans to retire, Bergen commented on Thursday’s report from the PCC.

Bergen noted there were four key points to take away from the report:

The responding officers failed in their duty to ensure the safety of persons at the home and did have authority and cause to enter the residence. The PCC investigation learned the officers had not entered the home to check on the child as they thought they required a warrant;

No neglect was identified with respect to the supervising officers as the two members attending to the house did not contact supervisors for assistance;

The police service is not facing any criminal charges; and

The investigation had the full benefit of audio and video recordings from the police vehicle and from the police detention centre.

“What is concluded is that much of what was alleged by private and public sources in the media was contradicted by the audio and video recordings,” Bergen said.

When asked about the status of the two involved officers, Bergen was able to confirm they remain on suspension.

Another glaring detail contained in the report had to do with the initial response by police to the West Hill home. During an FSIN news conference last year, information was shared that the mother was arrested on suspicion of being intoxicated and brought to the police station against her will.

However, according to the actual audio and video recordings, the mother was seeking a safe place to go and agreed voluntarily to go to a police cell. At the time there was no shelter space and since there was no police policy for housing sober people, the police officer on duty decided to list her as being intoxicated.

Bergen explained the police service does face challenges with respect to the lodging of people who don’t have a suitable place to go, and in the case of the mother, there was an increased risk due to extreme temperatures.

The child had been left with the father as the mother had not raised any concerns otherwise, and it was deemed a better option than the mother and child waiting outside for a ride that was coming from La Ronge.

Bergen explained the police service recently participated in an audit, led by the Saskatchewan Police Commission, on the city’s detention facility and a number of recommendations were suggested.

“So there’s some guidelines that have been implemented that align as recommended,” he said.