A high-ranking member of the Calgary Police Service is suing the force and individual members in a $300,000-lawsuit that alleges he was bullied and harassed, and that his career was sabotaged over the past nine years.
In a 14-page statement of claim, Staff Sgt. Bruce Walker, a 20-year CPS member, accuses former chief Roger Chaffin and others of manipulating the local force’s promotion process while failing to properly investigate Walker’s workplace complaints.
Also named in the June 7 suit are CPS general counsel Stephanie Morson, deputy chief Sat Parhar and the Calgary police commission.
The suit contends the City of Calgary and chief of police failed to create and maintain an environment of individual safety, respect and professionalism, among other values.
“The City and Chief of Police were reckless in failing to properly supervise the conduct of the individual defendants,” it states.
None of the allegations have been proven in court and a statement of defence has not yet been filed.
All his allegations against me are false and vexatious and will be vigorously defended.
Walker claims Morson, with whom he had an intimate, two-year relationship, and Parhar are close personal friends of Chaffin and that each was promoted within the force after Chaffin was named chief in October 2015.
The lawsuit contends Morson “set out to ruin Walker’s career and engaged Parhar to help her accomplish that,” after the relationship ended in December 2010.
Walker alleges Morson began interfering in his work in January 2011, including sending emails to Walker’s supervisors meant to embarrass and discredit him.
“Morson created a toxic and intolerable working environment for Walker and alienated him from his colleagues and a job that he once enjoyed,” the lawsuit states.
It also claims Parhar, after consulting with Morson, forced Walker’s April 2011 transfer from the service’s human resources division to the robbery/arson unit and later acted to block him from a promotion to inspector in 2013.
“Parhar confirmed to Walker that he was leaving HR as the most disrespected and de-valued employee in the organization,” the suit alleges.
In a statement, Morson said Walker’s allegations against her were “thoroughly investigated” and deemed unfounded.
“This claim is part of an ongoing ruthless harassment campaign intended to intimidate me, specifically designed to smear my reputation as a professional woman and lawyer,” Morson said.
“All his allegations against me are false and vexatious and will be vigorously defended.”
Walker’s suit further claims Chaffin attempted to “cover up” a respectful workplace complaint he made against Parhar and Morson by pressuring him to participate in a “phony (sic) mediation.”
The lawsuit contends Chaffin announced his retirement — effective Jan. 6, 2019 — a day after Walker’s lawyer advised his client was withdrawing from the mediation agreement. Chaffin ultimately retired on Oct. 19, 2018.
The lawsuit, citing lost opportunities for future promotion and lost income, seeks a $250,000 collective judgment against the defendants, and a further $50,000 in exemplary and punitive damages.
Chief Mark Neufeld said Monday that he had not seen the statement of claim.
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2019
