Bill Blair out as Toronto police chief

Chief Bill Blair’s contract as head of the Toronto Police Service won’t be renewed in April 2015 when it expires, the Toronto Police Services Board said.

In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, the board said the chief ” will complete his term of office on April 25, 2015.”

“Chief Blair has had a long and distinguished policing career with the Toronto Police Service. He is widely viewed as a champion of community policing and a leader in law enforcement around the world,” the statement went on to say.

Blair won’t be making any comments on the board’s decision.

“I want to thank Bill Blair for his 10 years of police chief of this great city,” Mayor Rob Ford said after the board’s decision was released.

The board met behind closed doors to discuss the future of Chief Bill Blair on Wednesday morning.

Blair notified the board on Friday whether he wanted to remain at the helm of Toronto police. His decision was not made public.

The board had until August 24 to respond to Blair.

Blair, 60, has been chief since April 2005, and has been a police officer for 39 years.

The board said a tribute will be held for Blair in the near future.

Read the board’s full statement below:

Earlier, the Board had announced that Chief William Blair would convey his intention regarding the renewal of his appointment to the Board by July 25, 2014 and that the Board would make a public statement as soon as it had something substantive to say, recognizing the public interest in this matter.

After considerable discussion related to the Toronto Police Service’s continuing need for organizational renewal the Board has decided not to renew the employment agreement of Chief Blair. Chief Blair will complete his term of office on April 25, 2015.

Chief Blair has had a long and distinguished policing career with the Toronto Police Service. He is widely viewed as a champion of community policing and a leader in law enforcement around the world.

He has demonstrated his commitment to issues of human rights, diversity and integrity, among many others, and has served Toronto admirably and tirelessly.

There will be an opportunity in the months to come to offer Chief Blair a fitting tribute for his years of dedicated and honourable service to our community. At this time, on behalf of all Torontonians, the Board extends to Chief Blair our sincere gratitude for his outstanding record of public service and inspiring leadership.

The Board will now begin to take the necessary steps as we embark on the open search for the next Chief of Police for the City of Toronto.

Torontonians will be kept informed as those steps are finalized. Today is a day to say “thank you.”

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