Another high profile trip south is landing Halton’s Police Chief in hot water.

Stephen Tanner traveled to Florida over Christmas despite the advice to stay home and avoid non-essential travel. Tanner says he’s there for personal property business matters but the out of country trip has angered some officers.

Friday afternoon, Tanner released a statement of apology and says he plans to return home this weekend and self-isolate.

President of the Halton Regional Police Association Clay Gillis says there’s growing frustration among the membership.

“The members are not happy about it and the members would expect him to provide a reasonable and justified answer,” said Gillis. “There’s animosity and anger to the point that people expect me to demand that he resign to people saying if he did that, if probably wasn’t the best decision.”

Oakville Mayor Rob Burton who’s also the chair of the Halton Police Board says he knew and approved the trip in advance and that the Chief continues to have his full confidence.

Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward only found out about the Chief’s trip late Friday afternoon. “I certainly share the frustration of the community for any unnecessary travel by elected officials, by health officials, by community leaders at a time of a global health crisis and the advisory has been to stay home.”