Calgary police chief addresses growing outrage over Sean Chu situation

The Calgary police chief is now responding to growing outrage about its response to conduct by councillor Sean Chu, when he was still a police officer.

In a statement, Mark Neufeld confirms disciplinary action was taken against Chu for having inappropriate sexual contact with a minor back in 1997, but notes criminal charges were not laid.

Neufeld insists the allegations were taken seriously and followed the process in place at the time.

The chief is also addressing a new, damning story from the CBC which claims Chu was involved in a domestic incident with his wife that involved a firearm and resulted in a police response back in 2008.

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READ MORE:

• Calls for Chu to resign amid details of inappropriate conduct with minor

• Sean Chu allegations involving a minor treated seriously, CPS says of 1997 investigation

• Mounting criticism may be only tool available to get Chu to resign: professor

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While he didn’t go into details, Neufeld said Chu was on personal unpaid leave from the CPS. Again, an investigation was launched but no charges were laid.

Neufeld says the outcome doesn’t absolve Chu of the “deep disappointment,” of his actions and notes processes used to investigate police have evolved.

He says if this were to happen today, the province would be notified and ASIRT would thoroughly investigate the allegations.

CityNews has reached out to Chu for comment, but has yet to hear back.

But in a response to the CBC, Chu says following the 2008 incident which he says came at a low and stressful point in his life, that he sought counselling.

Despite these two incidents, Chu got an exemplary service award when he retired in 2014.