I can almost point to the moment in time when my concern crystallized. It was in the inability to appeal what I felt was a ridiculous outcome in a disciplinary case. I had observed discipline issues throughout my career in the force and had always tried to stay away from them, but I never understood the problem from the commissioner's point of view in trying to transform this organization and to bring about meaningful change in the short term.
When I gave instructions to my staff to not let that decision stand, they said, “Well, it's too bad, Commissioner. There is nothing you can do about that because that's just the way it is.” I don't think I wrote the minister to say that. We had met several times and the minister was alive to the challenges that the force was facing.