Former bylaw boss Doug Gillard has been reassigned as manager of the city's newly created Emergency Management Division.
Gillard's fate was uncertain after the recently completed inquiry into allegations of workplace misconduct at the Municipal Enforcement Division (MED). The inquiry was launched after former bylaw officers went public with allegations that Gillard harassed employees and used city security cameras to eye women.
The report on the inquiry dismissed allegations that the city mishandled harassment complaints at MED, but said it was “more likely than not” that security cameras were misused.
The new Emergency Management Division will be responsible for revising the city's Emergency Measures Plan, supporting the city's response to emergencies and developing and implementing a city Business Continuity Plan.
The city stated the new division is being established within existing resources and “reflects an organizational realignment.”
“As a part of transforming our business to ensure continual improvement, the priorities of the Public Safety Department have been realigned to better address the requirements of the City,” stated city communications officer Iman Kassam in an email.
“The Emergency Management Division has been created to strengthen our focus on risk assessment, mitigation, and business continuity. Given the significance of this division, it requires a dedicated team of employees to support common ideas, processes and functions.”
Yellowknife Fire Division dispatch staff, who previously reported to the Fire Chief, will now report to Gillard, which better reflects their work in being the first line of communication for emergency calls, Kassam stated.
Gillard began his new job on Monday. The position of manager at MED will be put up for competition, and in the meantime two supervisory constables will fill the role.