Regional Chair John Henry issued a formal statement on February 27, 2026, to address the suspension of a high-ranking police officer in Whitby, Ontario. The statement followed the suspension of Region of Durham Deputy Police Chief Chris Kirkpatrick, who allegedly used a racial slur during an internal meeting in late February.
Police Chief Peter Moreira confirmed the suspension, stating that the deputy chief used language that was offensive and did not match the values of the police service. While official reports described the language as a racially inappropriate term, Ajax Councillor Sterling Lee alleged the specific word used was the N-word.
The incident took place during a meeting of the Afro-Caribbean Canadian Internal Support Network, which is an employee group meant to support Black and Afro-Caribbean members of the force. John Henry condemned the use of the language in the strongest terms, noting that such behaviour is not acceptable in the community.
The deputy chief has been suspended with pay while an independent investigation takes place. This process will be handled by an outside investigator to ensure the review is fair and impartial under provincial policing rules.
The regional government says it remains committed to fostering a community built on respect and inclusivity. Local leaders expect the investigation to provide transparency regarding the conduct of its top officials.
