"Cop-haters" and "political opportunism" are to blame in part for the controversies faced by the Toronto Police Service, according to a fiery letter sent to police officers from Julian Fantino.

In the internal letter acquired by CBC News Tuesday, Fantino lashed out at his critics saying the force has been subject to intense public scrutiny, media sensationalism and attacks by "cop-haters" and "police-bashers."

Julian Fantino
Julian Fantino

"Politicians and the usual police critics have feasted at our expense," the police chief said of the last few months.

The letter, which is dated June 30, was sent to out to members of the Toronto Police Service along with their paycheques shortly after it was announced that Fantino would not have his contract extended.

On June 24, the Toronto Police Services Board announced that it had decided not to renew the chief's contract when it expired in March 2005.

The decision came after a tumultuous year that saw the force become subject to three separate investigations relating to police corruption.

In his letter, Fantino addresses the recent corruption allegations and maintained that the force still had the support of the general public.

Part rallying call and part fiery invective, the chief also tackles the Board's decision to pass on a second-time around after the ended up in a 3-3 deadlock.

He urges officers "not to be discouraged or distracted by the instability of the Police Services Board, the political opportunism or the rants of police-bashers."

The letter stands in contrast with Fantino's public comments on the case.

At the time he said he respected the decision and refused to say anything critical about the board or those who voted against him.

Mayor David Miller said he was shocked when he heard of the contents of the letter.

"It's very inappropriate, particularly in this context, to criticize the people you report to," he said. "I was very disappointed the chief put that in writing, apparently to a large number of members of the police service."

Meanwhile, a police spokesperson said Fantino was simply trying to rally the troops and did not say anything in the letter that he hasn't said in public previously.