Thank you, Chair.
On February 21, in a question to Deputy Commissioner Barbara George—it was a simple question about whether she was involved with Mr. Frizzell's removal—the answer was clear: “I can state with absolute finality that it was neither Commissioner Zaccardelli nor me who had anything whatsoever to do with, as you say, the removal of Sergeant Frizzell”.
We've heard a lot of testimony since then, but last week we heard from Assistant Commissioner Lafosse, who was contacted, and he stated before this committee that Deputy Commissioner George requested of him to have Mr. Frizzell removed. He directed the deputy commissioner to Assistant Commissioner Bruce Rogerson.
Today in the opening statement, we heard his recollections that in fact Deputy Commissioner Barb George contacted him. She initiated the contact; she clearly wanted Mr. Frizzell removed.
There's something else that's puzzling, because in subsequent testimony Ms. George also stated and raised the issue of Mr. Frizzell's harassing investigation techniques—I guess they date back to January of that year—with two witnesses. That was subsequently referenced as one of the reasons to have him removed.
Assistant Commissioner Rogerson, you said that during your phone conversation with the deputy commissioner, she asked for Mr. Frizzell to be removed. But she referenced a phone call message that he had left—which we heard here, as it was played into the record—about his concerns that insurance funds were being used improperly.
Was it clear to you that in fact when she asked for Mr. Frizzell's removal, it was that particular phone call that spurred her to place the series of communications?