Toronto's police union has changed its position and decided to throw its weight behind the decision to not renew police chief Julian Fantino's contract.

In a statement released Tuesday, the acting president of the Toronto Police Association said that replacing Fantino was the best way to restore public confidence in the police service.

Al Olsen said some people were playing politics by manufacturing a power struggle between Fantino and the mayor, which is likely a reference to a move by a group of city councillors who want to re-open debate over Fantino's contract.

The move is an about face from the union's stand three weeks ago, after the Toronto Police Services Board voted to not extend Fantino's five-year contract when it ends next March.

Following the announcement, Andrew Clarke the then-spokesperson for the TPA called it a "disgusting display of left-wing politics."

In a statement released Tuesday night Fantino rebuked the union's new position, saying he did not accept their view "that public confidence needs to be restored in the Toronto Police Service."

The announcement from the 7,200-strong Police Association came as city councillors prepared to vote on whether or not to re-open the debate about Fantino's future.

For the past two weeks a group of councillors have been pushing to get the 3-3 deadlocked vote re-opened for consideration.

A public rally for in support of the chief attracted about 100 supporters at Nathan Phillips Square Wednesday afternoon.