Ottawa chief of police resigns after saying police are unable to shut down trucker protest

The chief of police in Ottawa, Canada, resigned on Tuesday as the government continued to struggle with the "Freedom Convoy" trucker protest against vaccine mandates.

"It is with a heavy heart I am announcing I have stepped down as Chief of the Ottawa Police Service," said Peter Sloly in a statement posted to his Twitter account.

"Since the onset of this demonstration, I have done everything possible to keep this city safe and put an end to this unprecedented and unforeseeable crisis. We have acquired new resources and enforcement tools" he continued. "I am confident the Ottawa Police Service is now better positioned to end this occupation."

Sloly, who is black, had previously been criticized over his effort to make the police force more diverse. In Sept. 2020, officials denounced a video depicting him as Hitler in a popular meme and mocking his leadership.

He was also criticized for the response to the "Freedom Convoy," which some said was insufficient and disorganized.

Ottawa Police Services Board Chair Coun. Diane Deans defended Sloly on Friday and claimed that the police were not given all the resources they requested to deal with the trucker protest.

There have been over 1,700 tickets issued, there have been at least 25 arrests, police have been working to seize fuel, they've made progress on clamping down on the encampment at Coventry Rd. and in Confederation Park, but it's not enough," Deans said on Friday.

"We do not have the resource requirement that we have asked for at this point," she added.

Sloly had previously hinted that police action would not be enough to quell the trucker demonstration.

"The longer this goes on, the more I am convinced there may not be a police solution to this demonstration," he said.

Sloly's contract with the police was scheduled to expire in 2024.

Here's more about Sloly's resignation:

Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly resignswww.youtube.com