Calgary Police Swears in Interim Chief Amid Leadership Turnover

Katie McLellan has been sworn in as Calgary's interim police chief following the unexpected resignation of former chief Mark Neufeld, who left with two years remaining on his contract. McLellan, a veteran of the Calgary Police Service since 1986, emphasized a seamless leadership transition amid upcoming high-profile events, including the G7 Summit and Rotary International Convention. She acknowledged ongoing challenges such as low morale within the force and resource shortages, particularly on the front line, and pledged to foster a workplace where employees feel valued and heard. The transition also saw the surprise retirements of deputy chiefs Chad Tawfik and Raj Gill, with Supt. Cliff O’Brien and Supt. Asif Rashid named as their replacements. McLellan declined to comment on the reasons behind the resignations, describing them as confidential personnel matters, but expressed gratitude toward Neufeld for his support during her career. She affirmed her commitment to leading the service indefinitely, with no current plans for a new chief search.