Regina’s former chief of police admitted to breaching his oath of office during his testimony at an appeal hearing for his termination. At the hearing on Thursday, former Regina Police Service (RPS) Chief Farooq Sheikh was cross-examined by the council representing the Regina Board of Police Commissioners. Sheikh was fired in October 2025 after an investigation found he engaged in “dishonourable conduct” with a member of Regina’s Board of Police Commissioners at the time. A publication ban to protect the complainant’s identity was put forward by the three-member panel of the Saskatchewan Police Commission who is overseeing the hearing. Through cross-examination, defence lawyer Mitchell Holash asked Sheikh if he remembered messaging the complainant during the private-session of a board meeting in December 2024. Sheikh was excluded from the meeting as board members discussed details of amendments to his five-year contract with RPS — as he requested increased severance and additional vacation. As the board can legally determine what discussions happen in-camera, especially if it involves contract details of officers, Holash asked if Sheikh agreed he breached his oath of office when messaging the complainant, which Sheikh admitted to doing. Holash also referenced Sheikh making a phone call to the complainant in late February 2025 to inform them about an ongoing RPS drug trafficking investigation involving someone the complainant knew. Given the conflict of interest, Sheikh said he called the complainant to “advise” them to resign from the board. He told the panel the recommendation for the complainant to remove themselves was made by board members and not solely him. Prior to that, RPS deputy chief Lorilee Davies called the complainant to inform them about the ongoing criminal matter, according to the PCC testimony at the hearing. Holash asked Sheikh if he thought it was appropriate to be speaking with the complainant following RPS’ conversation with them. Sheikh testified that he was told the complainant was “heavily impacted” and wanted to advise them because they were a board member and friend to him. During his testimony, Sheikh also admitted to calling the city’s mayor that same day — who sits as a member on the board — to disclose the phone call be had with the complainant. The appeal hearing will resume next Wednesday and is expected to conclude by next Thursday, Sept. 24. The panel will then make a decision about the appeal. However, it is unclear how long until a verdict is decided.
