Concerns raised after top CPS HR employee resigns

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – The chief human resources officer for the Calgary Police Service has resigned, and a member of the CPS is asking questions.

“I think it’s indicative of trouble,” Kim Prodaniuk said.

Prodaniuk sits on the board of the National Women in Law Enforcement Association.

She’s spoken out about the gender discrimination she experienced on the force in the past.

Prodaniuk said the CPS speaks about new hires as if they will affect change, and then the employees leave.

“I think that’s been happening since 2013. I know of three people who have left in that time period who had key positions in HR and I would be wondering why,” she said.

“I would be very concerned as a member of the public, why CPS is committing to reform, and having their key reformers quitting after six months to a year.”

But Calgary Police Chief Roger Chaffin said it’s only a minor setback.

“They’ll be no change in practice. We will continue to pursue a formal civilian human resource expert, that person will report directly to the chief at the executive level, and we will maintain and persist with our need to reform our processes,” he said.

“The health and wellness of our employees is still very important to us.”

Brian Thiessen, Chair of the Calgary Police Commission, said he’s satisfied with the commitment CPS has made to making reforms.

“I’m somewhat disappointed we have to hire for that position again, in such short order, but the service tells me they are going to focus on that, they are going to make it a number one priority,” he said.

Chief Chaffin has said he will pursue an exit interview with the employee that quit last week.