Vancouver police Chief Jamie Graham is under investigation by the Police Complaints Commissioner for leaving a used target practice sheet with bullet holes through the head of the silhouette on the desk of the city manager.

The chief had written on the sheet: "A bad day at the range is better than the best day at work."

Vancouver police Chief Jamie Graham has apologized for leaving the bullet-riddled target silhouette on the city manager's desk.
(CBC file)

The incident happened last month and city manager Judy Rogers was concerned enough to complain to Mayor Sam Sullivan, who then took the issue to the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner.

Deputy complaints commissioner Bruce Brown says he has begun a preliminary investigation of the incident, which could lead to a full inquiry.

Graham has issued a written statement saying, "the original gesture was made with only the most positive of intentions" and says he has apologized to Rogers.

Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan referred the issue to the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner.
(CBC file)

Chief investigated Sullivan

The mayor says that since Graham has apologized in writing, the city police board, which he chairs, doesn't plan to take any action against the chief.

This is not the first incident involving Graham to strain relations with city hall.

Last year, in the middle of the mayor's successful election campaign, Graham asked the RCMP to investigate Sullivan after he admitted to helping people buy illegal drugs while a city councillor.

Journalist Allen Garr, who was tipped off about the incident last week, said he thinks this latest situation could be political payback.

"All of a sudden, there's this misstep, something from Jamie, so Sam's on it."

He also thinks this could be Sullivan's way to keep Graham's power in check.

"Sam has said, 'I want more control over this police board than mayors have had in the past. I want a more transparent, a more efficient, more responsible police board.' "

Police humour backfired, says criminologist

A criminologist at Simon Fraser University says the incident is likely a tempest in a teapot, steeped in politics.

Rob Gordon says the incident illustrates the culture of policing, which uses black humour and pranks to build morale.

"Clearly what you got here is a clash of two worlds mingled, I think, with some city hall politics."

Gordon thinks it's just a case of Graham's bullet-riddled prank backfiring on him.

"He's apologized for it, and I'm a little baffled as to why the issue would be taken any further, unless the offended party is being deliberately offended in order to score points."