Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders stepping down

Toronto police Chief Mark Saundersannounced his resignation Monday afternoon.

Saunders said he would be leaving the role as of July 31.

"Thank you, Toronto, for working with me during my tenure," Saunders said during a news conference.

"It is something I'll cherish forever."

Saunders is leaving his post eight months before his contract was set to expire in 2021. Hedid not give a reason for his departure, but said there are thingshe wants to do for the city of Toronto "for free."

WATCH | Toronto's police chief announces he is stepping down:

Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders steps down

4 years ago

Duration 3:47

Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders announces his resignation, saying he will leave his post as of July 31.

"I'm a free agent now," he said, adding with a smile,"I'm certainly going to work, because I don't think my wife will want me in the house."

He said he is looking forward to being a full-time dad and husband, and added that his health was not a factor in his decision to leave. Saundersunderwent a kidney transplant in 2017.

"Family is the most important thing to me right now," he said.

Saunders, who is Toronto's first Black police chief,was appointed in April of 2015. He has worked in policingfor over 37years.

Mayor thanks chief

In a statement issued Monday afternoon, Toronto Mayor John Tory said Saunders told him last week he planned to retire.

"On behalf of all Toronto residents, I want to thank Chief Saunders for his exemplary service," Tory said, adding that prior to his five years as chief, Saunders had held "just about every leadership position available" in the Toronto Police Service.

"He has been a dedicated and responsible chief of police who has always worked to protect the city. He cares deeply about the people of the city, all of its neighbourhoods, and about the men and women who serve with him."

Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Peggsaid Saunders would be "sadly missed."

The city's police services board announced last summer that it had made thedecision to renew Saunders'appointment until April 30, 2021. It wasonly the second time in the last 40 years that a Toronto police chief wouldserve more than a single term.

In the last five years, Saunders had overseen Toronto police through a host of high-profileincidents and cases, like the controversiesaround cardingandtheeventualarrest of serial killer Bruce McArthur, as well as amass shooting in Toronto's Greektown neighbourhoodand the city's deadly van attack.

Calls to defund police

Saunders is leaving just as a massive discussion about police reform is sweeping across North America, with protests in many cities sparked by deaths like that ofGeorge FloydinMinneapolisandToronto residentRegis Korchinski-Paquet.

Two Toronto councillors plan to bringforth a motion tocut the city's police funding by 10 per cent and use thatmoney for community resources instead.

Coun. Josh Matlow said he will bring a motion to the next city council meeting at the end of the month, with support from Coun. Kristyn Wong-Tam.

WATCH | Saunders kneels with protesters at march against anti-Black racism:

Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders takes a knee with anti-Black racism demonstrators

4 years ago

Duration 1:37

Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders briefly spoke with demonstrators Friday.

Matlow said he wants to see the savings about $122 million spent on community programs. Similar discussions are happening in other jurisdictions.

When asked if he was bowing out to avoid these discussions, Saunders said that his track record "speaks for itself." He did not completely shut down the idea of defunding police, but did say that money would have to be funnelled into the right programs.

"If we get it right, then there needs to be other agencies that satisfy the needs of the community. In absence ofthat, things will not work," he said.

Recent weekend protests in support of the international Black Lives Matter movement played out peacefully in Toronto, and featured Saunderstaking a knee as a show of solidarity with demonstrators.