North Bay’s top cop says he supports North Bay City Council’s motion supporting an amendment to the Police Services Act that would allow suspension of police officers without pay if charged with criminal offences serious enough that the chief himself would seek termination of that officer.
See that story here: https://www.baytoday.ca/local-news/council-wants-action-limiting-cops-pay-while-suspended-440820
“I know our board chair, Dennis O’Connor, has been in contact with councillor Mayne, I am in agreement with the suggestion that the police services act needs to be reviewed, needs to be reviewed in several areas, and including the suspension issue with pay or without pay.”
Police Board Chair Dennis O’Connor spoke out about the issue during September’s Police Board meeting.
“It’s getting frustrating seeing it over the last few years, it effects our budget, it effects our personnel,” admitted O’Connor urging citizens to write the provincial government in support of opening up the police services act to allow police boards to cut off compensation for officers that are facing serious criminal charges.
See that story here: https://www.baytoday.ca/local-news/police-board-chair-says-stop-paying-suspended-cops-413993
Devine says that council is following the lead set by Chief Paul Cook. In 2014, as President of the Ontario Association of Chief’s of Police, he worked hard to change the act.
“Unfortunately it didn’t follow through but I believe it is an area that needs to be looked at with some safeguards,” said Devine.
“I think the one thing I would comment on is that I think the city’s resolution included a two-year period where they could suspend under the police services act we can’t do that, we have to follow the guidelines of the police service act but presently there is a probationary for constables and I believe it is 12 months so there is already something in place for that kind of suggestion.”
It’s estimated that in the last 15 years, four North Bay Police Service officers who were eventually convicted of their crimes were paid $1,151,000 in salary while awaiting resolution of their charges.
