Ontario’s inspector general of policing this week ordered a provincewide review of police services following corruption allegations within the Toronto Police Service. On Tuesday we sat down with Strathroy-Caradoc Police Chief and the President of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Mark Campbell, who had a pretty straight forward reaction from a local Police Chief’s perspective.
Campbell says this has definitely put a negative mark on policing in Ontario.
From a provincial perspective with his role as President of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, his reaction did not differ from his comments as a small community Police Chief.
Campbell made sure he delivered a very important point to those following this story.
As far as the inspection itself, the focus will be on five areas.
Campbell added the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police have a minimal role in this process other than to understand what the scope of the investigation may look like so they can keep their members informed. When asked how the process will work, Campbell says, until there is an outside source or someone named to conduct the inspection, the scope of that investigation is unknown at this point.
In response to the order, the OPP’s Corporate Communications Bureau said quote.
“Police officers are not only subject to the same laws as the public, they are also held to higher standards due to the authorities and responsibilities entrusted to them. It is essential that all officers carry out their duties with integrity and professionalism. We support the Inspector General’s review and, if we receive any requests from his office, we will cooperate fully.”
Written by: C. Soares