Alok Mukherjee accused of “unethical” and “unprofessional” behaviour by police association. On Thursday, Mukherjee shared the meme created by activist group Occupy Wall Street which reads: Americans killed by ISIS: 3, Americans killed by Ebola: 2, Americans killed by the police: 500 every year.
TORONTO – The Toronto Police Association is demanding Alok Mukherjee, chair of the civilian oversight board, resign after he shared a meme on his Facebook page that the union said compares officers to terrorists, reported Toronto Star.
On Thursday, Mukherjee shared the meme created by activist group Occupy Wall Street which reads: Americans killed by ISIS: 3, Americans killed by Ebola: 2, Americans killed by the police: 500 every year.
“His sharing of this poster is clearly unprofessional, clearly unethical and clearly seeks to undermine the very people he is paid to oversee,” says an association bulletin distributed to police stations throughout the city.
“(Alok) Mukherjee has crossed the line. His lack of objectivity indicates he is no longer fit to sit on a police oversight body.”
The post was not visible on Mukherjee’s Facebook page Friday.
A screen capture of the page also included the now ubiquitous: “I can’t breathe” — the words used by an unarmed black man in New York City while an NYPD officer held him in a choke-hold.
The man, Eric Garner, died, and his words used as part of a chant by crowds protesting a grand jury’s decision not to indict the officer.
“I very much regret the reaction caused by the posting,” Mukherjee said in statement sent by email Friday afternoon.
“The item was shared as a topic of interest, intended to encourage conversation and reflection. The share was not intended to be a negative commentary in any way on members of our police service or on our practices.”
Mukherjee added he is “proud of our approach to policing,” and has the “utmost respect for members of the Toronto Police Service.”
There has been an escalating war of words between the police service and the board with contract negotiations set to begin soon. The contract expires Dec. 31.
“The chair should not resign,” Councillor Michael Thompson said Friday, pointing out the post made no reference to Toronto policing. “It would be to the police association’s advantage if the chair were to resign and that’s really what this is all about.”
Thompson, who up until this week was vice-chair of the board, said the police union is “afraid” of the “tough” upcoming contract talks that Mukherjee has put in place.
The association planned to file a letter of complaint to Premier Kathleen Wynne, Mayor John Tory and the Toronto Police Services Board and the Ontario Civilian Police Commission.
Tory, who is taking a seat on the board, said the post could “lead to the inference” that it relates to the Toronto Police Service.
“I think that’s why there’s judgment involved here that isn’t good,” he said. “And I can just say for my own part — and we’ll see what he has to say — our police service is not perfect, nobody’s is, but we have one of the best in the world and I think we want to make sure that we enforce that.”
Tory did not respond when asked if he agreed Mukherjee should resign.
Mukherjee is a provincial appointee until 2016. His position as chair is subject to an annual vote.
City council holds a majority of the seven seats on the board. Tory has decided to sit on the board joined by Councillors Shelley Carroll and Chin Lee. They replace outgoing members Thompson and Frances Nunziata.
Courtesy Toronto Star
