Durham police deputy chief found guilty of workplace misconduct

Durham Regional Police Deputy Chief Chris Kirkpatrick has retired after being found guilty of professional misconduct. Durham Regional Police announced Monday that Kirkpatrick's employment with the service has ended following an investigation into Kirkpatrick's use of a racial slur during an internal meeting earlier in 2026. The deputy chief, who had served as a police officer for 29 years, had been suspended with pay since late February after allegations he used the N-word during a meeting attended by uniformed officers, civilian employees and members of the service's Afro-Caribbean Canadian Internal Support Network.

The misconduct finding ends the long-term investigation conducted by Ontario's Law Enforcement Complaints Agency that began shortly after the February meeting. According to Durham police, the investigation concluded Kirkpatrick committed professional misconduct, leading both the police service board and the deputy chief to agree to terminate his employment with Durham Police. In its statement Monday, the service confirmed Kirkpatrick will not return to active duty and will instead retire from policing. Police did not provide additional details about the disciplinary decision or whether any further sanctions were considered before the retirement agreement was reached.

Who is Deputy Chief Kirkpatrick

Kirkpatrick joined Durham Regional Police as deputy chief in late 2023 after a lengthy career with the Toronto Police Service, where he rose to the rank of superintendent. His appointment was announced as part of the service's senior leadership team, bringing nearly three decades of policing experience to Durham Region. That tenure was interrupted in February when allegations surfaced regarding comments made during the internal meeting. Police said the meeting included members of the service's employee support network representing Afro-Caribbean officers and civilian staff.

Following Kirkpatrick's suspension in March, Durham Police Chief Peter Moreira publicly addressed the incident, describing the language used during the meeting as inconsistent with the organization's values. At the time, Moreira also emphasized investigators had determined the remark was not directed at any specific individual. The service nevertheless launched an internal response while Ontario's independent police complaints agency assumed responsibility for investigating the allegation. Kirkpatrick remained suspended with pay throughout the investigation while the disciplinary process continued.

When the allegations first became public, Kirkpatrick issued a brief statement saying he intended to cooperate fully with investigators but declined to discuss the matter further. Durham police confirmed Monday that the investigation has now concluded with a finding of professional misconduct. The service did not release the hearing decision or provide further information explaining how investigators reached their conclusion. Kirkpatrick was not immediately available for comment following Monday's announcement, according to the Toronto Star.

Earlier discipline

The misconduct case is not the first disciplinary issue involving Kirkpatrick during his time with Durham police. In 2024, he admitted to speeding in a police-issued vehicle on two separate occasions over consecutive days, including one incident in a school zone. A disciplinary process determined his driving undermined public confidence in policing, resulting in a penalty equivalent to 94 hours of pay. That incident remained on his disciplinary record prior to the latest misconduct investigation involving the internal meeting.

Durham police said the matter has been resolved through the misconduct finding and retirement agreement reached with the police service board. The organization has not announced whether an interim replacement will be appointed immediately or whether the service intends to begin recruiting a permanent successor following Kirkpatrick's retirement. Durham Police has not commented on whether additional workplace measures will be introduced following the investigation.