The former Chief of Police of the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service has filed a statement of claim against the force, claiming wrongful termination and seeking over $2.5 million in damages.
In the claim filed in Superior Court in Thunder Bay, Morrison was seeking $1.8 million for salary he said he’s owed from the date of his termination to March 31, 2029.
In addition, the claim calls for $200,000 for “injury to dignity, feelings, and self-respect” because of discrimination based on his Indigenous heritage, bad-faith and punitive damages totalling $500,000, $6,750 for a clothing allowance from the date of his termination to March 31, 2029 and unspecified damages for loss of benefits, vacation pay and pension contributions, as well as other miscellaneous costs.
He was placed on administrative leave on March 7, 2024, then terminated on Oct. 29, 2024.
According to Morrison’s statement of claim, he was placed on leave due to a discrimination complaint made against him by an unnamed NAPS employee relating to a complaint made by the chief about another matter – a question of protocol in a separate complaint against his former spouse, a detective staff sergeant for NAPS.
“At no time did Chief Morrison attempt to be involved in the investigation or determination of the complaint against Detective Staff Sergeant Morrison,” the statement of claim said, adding that he denied the allegations.
The chief sent a letter to the police service board “explaining concerns with NAPS’s failure to account for Indigenous customs, including not delivering the message through an in-person meeting,” the claim said, adding that Morrison also stated his intent to make changes at the service to “incorporate Indigenous culture and traditions.”
He was never provided with the results of the investigation, according to the claim, and aside from attending an investigation interview in May 2024, “was never advised when the investigation into the complaint against him concluded and he was not asked for further information, comment, or written response.”
The claim also stated that Morrison was summoned for another investigation interview at the end of May 2024 over a ceremonial visit by police officers from the Navajo Nation in August 2023 over allegations Morrison unlawfully gave firearms to the officers to wear on their uniforms during ceremonial appearances.
Morrison also denied those allegations, the claim said.
“NAPS’s decision to terminate Chief Morrison was clearly predetermined and lacked justification or any reasonable basis,” the statement of claim said.
According to the claim, Morrison was appointed police chief in 2019 and was with the service for 27 years with an “exemplary employment record.” It alleges that, after the initial investigation, “NAPS engaged in a fishing expedition to try to find conduct which could remotely be construed as improper to terminate Chief Morrison’s employment without paying him his entitlements under his employment agreement.”
In a statement released by the police service board, chair Frank McKay said that Morrison was terminated for cause and that the decision was made “after very careful consideration, following a full and detailed investigation.”
McKay’s statement said that the board has received Morrison’s statement of claim and that it “will be serving and filing a full defence,” against the claims.
He said that the board won’t provide further comment as the matter is before the courts.
NAPS serves 34 First Nations across northern Ontario.
None of the allegations have been tested in court.