Appeal moves ahead in high-profile Regina policing case
Former Regina police chief Farooq Sheikh is challenging his dismissal, calling it unjustified and disproportionate as a provincial hearing nears. In a statement issued through his lawyer, Sheikh argued the process that led to his firing lacked fairness and due process. His appeal will be heard by the Saskatchewan Police Commission beginning Sept. 14, according to an announcement made last week.
Sheikh was terminated in October 2025 following a misconduct investigation into text messages he was accused of sending to a member of the Regina Board of Police Commissioners over several months, including during an in-camera discussion about his employment contract. He was dismissed without severance. The city has since appointed Chief Lorilee Davies to lead the service.
Allegations at the heart of the dismissal
The misconduct findings centred on what investigators determined were inappropriate text communications between the chief and a commissioner. Those messages, according to the investigation, overlapped with a closed-door meeting concerning Sheikh’s contract. While the former chief is not commenting on the evidence he plans to present, his legal team’s statement emphasized that the record will support his position once tested at the hearing.
“Mr. Sheikh now welcomes the opportunity to present his case,” the statement said. “When all of the evidence has been heard and carefully considered, it will demonstrate why he believes the decision to terminate his employment was unjustified and wholly disproportionate.”
Sheikh’s statement also noted the past year has been difficult for him and his family. He has 33 years in law enforcement across Canada and the United Kingdom. No additional details about his proposed evidence were provided.
What Regina residents should watch for
The upcoming hearing places the city’s police leadership under renewed public scrutiny. At issue are the standards of conduct for senior officials, the integrity of decision-making by local oversight bodies, and the threshold for disciplinary action at the executive level. The process may also shed light on how sensitive personnel matters intersect with in-camera deliberations and what safeguards exist to maintain public confidence.
- Hearing start: The Saskatchewan Police Commission will begin hearing the appeal on Sept. 14.
- Focus of appeal: Whether the termination process met fairness standards and whether the penalty matched the findings.
- Leadership continuity: Regina’s police service remains under the leadership of Chief Lorilee Davies during the appeal.
Key dates and developments
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Termination of former chief | October 2025 |
| Commission announces hearing plan | Last week (date announced: Sept. 14 start) |
| Appeal hearing begins | Sept. 14 |
For residents, the hearing will help clarify how the investigation reached its conclusions and whether the sanction aligned with those findings. It also underscores the balance between transparency and confidentiality that accompanies in-camera considerations about employment contracts. The commission’s decision, once released, is likely to influence how future cases involving senior police officials are handled in Regina and beyond.
As the appeal proceeds, attention will remain on the evidence presented and the procedural steps taken in the lead-up to Sheikh’s firing. The outcome will determine not only the former chief’s employment record but also offer insight into oversight mechanisms that govern police leadership in the city.
