North Bay Chief of Police Shawn Devine says a disciplinary hearing under the Police Services Act against officer Barry MacIntosh will be expedited after MacIntosh was found guilty of an assault charge yesterday.
See story: Guilty cop gets probation for assault
And: Local police officer found guilty of assault
Because the criminal charge takes precedent, the Police Services Act charges were stayed. There is now a 30 day appeal period for MacIntosh regarding the assault conviction before further action will be taken.
"We are going to try and get it going as soon as possible," Devine told BayToday. "We're just waiting for completion of the criminal matter so I would say probably in the next two months."
Devine added the police board is very aware of the cost to the taxpayer of having MacIntosh on paid leave with the pay and benefits now approaching the half million dollar mark.
"So we will be expediting that process so it's not something that will be dragging on."
MacIntosh was suspended with pay in Nov. 2012 and to date his salary and benefits have been $446,967.
The Ontario Chiefs of Police have been pressing the province to change the Police Act to allow the suspension of officers without pay under certain circumstances.
That's something Devine says he fully supports.
"It's not in every circumstance. There is a list of criteria it has to meet before somebody is suspended without conviction and without pay, but yes I would a proponent of change."
