The Saskatchewan Police Commission plans to conduct an inquiry into workplace concerns at the Estevan Police Service, which arose after the death of a former police officer.
The inquiry will consist of fact-finding interviews focused on workplace culture, health and well-being supports for police officers, the role and responsibilities of the chief of police and the Estevan Board of Police Commissioners, and what effect these factors may have on the quality of policing there, according to the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety.
A subsection of The Police Act gives the minister the power to approve an inquiry into the matter concerning the standard of policing and law enforcement provided within a municipality.
“The Saskatchewan Police Commission works with police services and boards of police commissioners to promote effective policing throughout the province,” the ministry said. “The commission is empowered to conduct audits and reviews and to provide information to boards of police commissioners.
“The commission is the final appeal body in disciplinary and dismissal matters.”
The police commission has appointed high-profile Regina-based defence lawyer Aaron Fox to conduct the inquiry.
The City of Estevan acknowledged in March the concerns with the police service and board of police commissioners that were brought forward following the death of Const. Jay Pierson earlier that month. Pierson had served the organization for 23 years and had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mainly due to years of working in forensics.
Pierson submitted a request for benefits on May 12, 2017, and a mental health evaluation was submitted on his behalf on July 26, 2017. A Workers’ Compensation Board appeals officer approved his claim in October 2017, but the WCB’s appeals tribunal reversed that decision in 2018.
According to the Estevan Mercury, following the 2017 decision, Estevan Police Chief Paul Ladouceur said he felt the appeals officer did not seek adequate input from the EPS. He also expressed doubt that PTSD was the reason for Pierson’s stress and anxiety. Rather, Ladoceur felt it was due to employee-employer relations.
Pierson appealed the appeals tribunal’s decision to the Court of Queen’s Bench, and in June 2020, a Queen’s Bench judge ruled that he should receive benefits.
However, “Jay felt that the lack of support, both financially and with regard to his mental health struggles, took an enormous toll on his health and personal relationships,” his family said in his obituary.
Several interviewees told the Estevan Mercury newspaper that the environment at the EPS was “toxic.” This led to a decreased chance that members — even if facing serious problems — would seek help or ask for it.
Ladouceur resigned on April 8, 2021.
Story includes files from the Estevan Mercury.
