Edmonton police commissioner plans to serve 2 final years of his term from Portugal

John McDougall, a long-time member of the Edmonton police commission and its current chair, has announced that he will be spending the next two years serving on the oversight board from Portugal. McDougall, who has been a member of the commission for seven years, revealed in a statement released on Friday that he is retiring from his career in the Canadian Armed Forces and will be relocating overseas.

While McDougall’s term as the commission chair is set to end on December 31, 2024, he has made it clear that he will not seek reappointment to that position. However, his appointment as a commission member is valid until the end of 2026, and McDougall has expressed his intention to fulfill the remainder of his term despite his move to Europe.

In his statement, McDougall emphasized that his ties to the Edmonton community remain strong even as he embarks on this new chapter in Portugal. He pointed out that he is not the first commission member to reside outside of Edmonton, citing that there are no residency requirements for commissioners in municipal or provincial regulations.

The Edmonton police commission plays a crucial role in overseeing the allocation of the Edmonton Police Service budget and establishing policing policies. Currently, the commission is focused on the task of hiring a new police chief following Dale McFee’s resignation in February.

A spokesperson for the police commission confirmed that McDougall was unavailable for an interview on Friday as he was already in Portugal, where it was late at night. Despite being overseas, McDougall has assured that he is committed to fulfilling his duties on the commission and is willing to return for in-person business as needed.

The 12-member police commission includes two city councillors and 10 civilian members, with three commissioners, including McDougall, appointed by the provincial government. McDougall disclosed that he sought approval from the minister’s office for his decision to continue serving on the commission from Portugal, and received their support.

Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis, when asked about McDougall’s decision, expressed his confidence in McDougall’s leadership and the valuable experience he brings to the commission during a period of change within the Edmonton Police Service. Ellis noted that McDougall remains engaged with the commission’s activities, both in person and remotely.

McDougall has also stated that he will not be seeking the honorarium typically provided to commissioners for the remainder of his term. He has assured the board of his availability to return for in-person commission business as required.

Overall, McDougall’s decision to continue serving on the Edmonton police commission from Portugal reflects his dedication to the community and commitment to fulfilling his responsibilities despite being overseas. His experience and leadership will undoubtedly continue to be valuable assets to the commission during this transitional period.