The former chief of Canada’s largest First Nations police service has filed a more than $2.5-million lawsuit against the its oversight board, alleging he was wrongfully terminated.
Roland Morrison was terminated from the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) in November following an independent investigation. He had been suspended with pay in March over misconduct allegations.
“Following the conclusion of that investigation, the NAPS board of directors had made the decision to terminate Roland Morrison’s employment with NAPS, effective immediately,” the board said in a statement Nov. 1.
According to a statement of claim filed in Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice in Thunder Bay, Morrison is seeking $2.5 million in damages, for wrongful dismissal and breach of contract.
The statement alleges NAPS and its board acted in bad faith in their investigation and termination of Morrison. It describes him as an “exemplary employee” and says the termination was done in a “disrespectful manner”.
NAPS and the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service Board “engaged in a fishing expedition to find any conduct, regardless of how stale-dated and untrue, which could be relied on to terminate Chief Morrison for cause,” it alleges.
NAPS board to file full defence, chair says
NAPS, which serves 34 First Nations across northern Ontario, is now led by police Chief Terry Armstrong, who came out of retirement to take on the role.
Frank McKay, chair of the NAPS board, provided an emailed statement to CBC News about Morrison’s lawsuit, reiterating he was terminated for cause.
“The board arrived at the decision to terminate Mr. Morrison after very careful consideration, following a full and detailed investigation,” said McKay.
The board has received Morrison’s statement of claim and plans to file a full defence, he said.
McKay said no further comment will be provided.
None of the allegations by either Morrison on the NAPS board have been proven in court.
Document details 2 investigations
Morrison is a member of Chapleau Cree First Nation who was born and raised in Moose Factory, Ont. He was appointed police chief in April 2019.
Before his full-time appointment, Morrison spent six years as deputy chief of police and became acting chief in September 2018, following Armstrong’s retirement.
In the statement of claim, two investigations into Morrison are detailed.
He was first placed on administrative leave in March 2024 pending an investigation into a discrimination complaint made my an NAPS employee. The complaint was about a protocol that NAPS’s board put in place about his former spouse, who was a detective staff sergeant for NAPS.
“In particular, on Feb. 20, 2024, Chief Morrison was advised of an updated reporting protocol which removed Chief Morrison’s involvement in a complaint against his former spouse, Det. Staff Sgt. Morrison,” said the statement of claim.
The claim states Morrison did not involve himself in the investigation, but did voice concerns about the way his ex-spouse was told she was being placed on an administrative leave.
“This was communicated to her via a virtual Zoom call prior to a known 10-hour drive from her assignment to Thunder Bay. The method of communication was not culturally sensitive to Det. Staff Sgt. Morrison’s Indigenous heritage, nor did it consider the impact on her mental health,” said the statement.
Morrison was suspended with pay pending the results of an independent investigation.
The claim alleges NAPS attempted to find a reason to terminate Morrison so it wouldn’t have to continue paying him. It said he was contacted at the end of May 2024 about a second investigation.
“It was alleged that Chief Morrison unlawfully provided firearms to the officers of the Navajo Nation, for adornment on their uniforms during ceremonial appearances during their visit to Nishnawbe Aski Nation’s traditional territory in Northern Ontario,” reads the statement.
The ceremonial visit took place in August 2023, but the statement of claim alleges NAPS said it only became aware of the allegations in April 2024.
