Former Regina Police Service Chief Farooq Sheikh is currently undergoing an appeal process to overturn his dismissal. The hearing , overseen by a three-member Saskatchewan Police Commission panel, seeks to clarify the nature of his relationship with a civilian board member.
A rapid descent from Nov 2023 appointment to Oct 2025 termination
Farooq Sheikh was sworn in as the 15th chief of the Regina Police Service on December 1, 2023. His tenure was intended to bring internaitonal expertise from the United Kingdom and Alberta to Saskatchewan.. However, the professional stability of his role was upended when the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) launched an investigation into his conduct.
This investigation eventually led to his formal termination in October 2025, following findings of "dishonourable conduct" involving a member of the Board of Police Commissioners. The board, which includes the mayor and city council members, is responsible for the strategic direction of the service. As the report notes, the decision to fire Sheikh was based on evidnece that his communications with a board member were kept hidden from other officials.
Text messages and the push for higher severance in late 2024
Personal communications between Sheikh and a civilian board member became a central focus of the recent appeal hearing. These exchanges occurred between July 2024 and early 2025,with Sheikh describing them as "friendly banter ."
This period of communication coincided with Sheikh's efforts to amend his five-year employment contract. According to the testimony provided, his proposed changes specifically requested more vacation time and increased severance pay. The timing of these messages has raised questions about whether the personal relationship influenced the professional negotiation.
The February 2025 call to resign amid a drug investigation
A significant escalation occurred in late February 2025 when a drug trafficking investigation involved an acquaintance of the board complainant. Following a briefing from Deputy Chief Lorilee Davies and other members, Sheikh reportedly called the complainant to suggest they resign from the police board.
During this same period, Sheikh allegedly requested that the complainant delete their previous text message history. While Sheikh testified that suggesting a resignation was a common board decision, the specific context of the call remains a point of contention in the appeal proceedings.
The inconclusive findings on contract manipulation
Several critical questions remain unanswered following the conclusion of the initial investigation. While the board fired Sheikh for keeping communications hidden from other members, the specific allegation that he used his influence to manipulate a vote for his contract remains unproven.
Additionally, it is still unclear whether the recommendation for the complainant to resign was a personal directive from Sheikh or a standard procedural suggestion from the board. Due to a publication ban, the identity of the complainant remains protected, leaving the full scope of the interpersonal dynamics to speculation. The panel's final decision will hinge on whether these actions constituted a breach of duty or merely a lapse in professional judgment .
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