Calgary Police Commission chair to step down this November

The chair of the Calgary Police Commissionwill be stepping down this November after three years in the position.

Brian Thiessen'sterm as a police commission member is expiringandhe said Tuesdayhe doesn't wish to be re-appointed.

Thiessen, a Calgary lawyer, has chaired the civiliancommission that oversees the Calgary Police Service since November 2016.

Ward 3 Coun.Jyoti Gondek, acouncil member onthe commission, commends Theissen for his leadership while holding the position, especially for ensuring human resources reformedinside the Calgary Police Service.

"He would always remind everyone to go back to the vision and the commitment that had been made," said Gondek.

"He stuck to it, he asked really tough questions of members of the police service and he ensured that the voices of police commission representing the citizenry were well-heard."

Gondek also complimented Thiessen for overseeing the selection and hiring ofnew police chief Mark Neufeld.

"One of the highlights for me washaving Mr. Thiessen as the chair is his incredible handling of that transition and that process of bringing in a new chief," said Gondek.

"He was a great leader at that point when we needed one, and he listened to a lot of differing voices and opinions, and he made sure we stuck with a very good process and we have a great new chief as a result."

City council will name several new members of the Calgary Police Commission in October.