Police chief made a ‘rash move’ firing Saskatoon constable: union

The union representing officers at the Saskatoon Police Service says administration made a premature decision to fire a constable accused of assault.

Jarett Gelowitz was terminated last year after three assault charges were brought against him. Two charges were stayed and he was acquitted of the third charge on Wednesday.

Saskatoon Police Association President Dean Pringle said it’s rare for an officer to be terminated over a criminal charge before it’s dealt with by the courts.

“When we have a member facing criminal charges or criminal jeopardy they are usually suspended with pay to maintain public confidence,” Pringle told 650 CKOM’s John Gormley on Thursday.

“We feel that if a chief or administrator has enough evidence and they want to rid themselves of a member. They go to a hearing and they let that independent hearing officer hear the evidence and decide.”

In his decision, Justice Richard Danyliuk found Gelowitz used reasonable physical force when subduing an uncooperative suspect.

Pringle worries the Gelowitz case could cause officers to second guess themselves in the field.

“Our members have to feel confident that they have the backing of the system, the administration, their fellow co-workers. As you know, police work is life and death, it’s split second decisions.”

“I don’t want anybody hesitating at work now, thinking should I or should I not use force.”

In a statement, police chief Troy Cooper said the decision to terminate Gelowitz was based on “unsuitability” for service.

“There remain matters under The Police Act, 1990 which still have to be resolved and we must let that process take place. A hearing has been scheduled for September 2019,” said the statement.

The union is calling for Gelowitz to be reinstated, receive back pay for lost wages along with compensation for legal fees.