Member of Edmonton Police Commission to complete his term in Portgual, lawyer raises concerns
Global News
Currently, John McDougall serves as the chair of the police commission.
A member of the Edmonton Police Commission plans to serve the remainder of his term from Portugal and says he believes living abroad will not interfere with his role, even though a member of a local lawyers association has concerns.
On Friday, Global News spoke with John McDougall from his home in the European country.
Currently, McDougall serves as the chair of the police commission. His time as chair comes to an end on Dec. 31.
However, McDougall does intend to complete his term as a member of the commission from abroad. He was appointed by the province to a three-year term that ends in 2026.
“We have no more formal meetings booked for the remainder of 2024,” he said. “I have no intention of running for chair next year.”
Tom Engel, the chair of the policing committee for the Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association, said he believes completing a term from Portugal is “unacceptable.”
“I have chaired a number of volunteer boards,” Engel said. “(A video call) is no replacement for being in person. You are dealing with citizens, police officers — there are conversations happening. You lose an awful lot not being there in person.
“How do you keep abreast of what is happening in Edmonton? It’s ridiculous really.”
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