The City of Kamloops has confirmed David Trawin is no longer employed by the city, blaming Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson for the end of his 22-year tenure with the city.

Chief administrative officer (CAO) David Trawin took a leave of absence in March 2024. At the time, his absence was not explained, but information recently released by the city pins his departure on the mayor’s behaviour.

A statement released by the city on July 31 says Hamer-Jackson made Trawin’s continued employment “unsustainable and untenable” and “negatively or adversely impacted him on both a professional and personal level.”

Trawin joined the city in 2003 as its director of development and engineering services, later taking up the reins as CAO in 2012.

“David led the organization through many challenging situations, including COVID-19, and continuously supported and encouraged staff to make Kamloops shine through exceptional service delivery,” the release reads.

Byron McCorkell filled the role on an interim basis until he was named permanent CAO in October 2024.

Hamer-Jackson has breached council’s code of conduct multiple times, which has resulted in pay reductions, his removal as a city spokesperson and limited ability to interact with certain staff members. The complaints relate to misleading the public, confidentiality and privacy breaches, and conflict of interest.

The city’s statement also included affirmations to protect city staff and “shield them from harmful interactions” with the mayor.

“This includes, without limitation, protocols that limit direct interactions between the mayor and specified staff as well as protocols that protect staff from certain retaliatory behaviour by the mayor and allow them to disengage from abusive and disrespectful communications from him,” the statement reads.