By now, you’ve heard the story on CHML News; a Hamilton police officer is facing more charges relating to alleged criminal activities that led to his arrest in 2015.
The list of charges is lengthy and that will be dealt with through the court system eventually, but what we can and should talk about now is that, once again, there is a police officer under suspension, while receiving full pay.
When charges are brought against any police officer, it undermines the public confidence in the police service; after all, they’re supposed to uphold the law, not break the law.
Being a cop is tough enough, without that added stigma.
But what adds salt to the wound is the concept of paid suspensions.
Too many times, suspended officers delay legal proceedings against them, sometimes for years, all the while collecting wages and benefits that we, the taxpayers, pay for.
Ontario is the only province in Canada that still allows this archaic practice and it needs to stop.
Ontario chiefs of police have petitioned the province to allow local chiefs to determine whether or not paid suspensions are warranted, but so far the province has done nothing and we keep paying.
It’s time the province created a system that offers swift justice for suspended officers and fairness for Ontario taxpayers.
Bill Kelly is the host of Bill Kelly Show on AM 900 CHML and a commentator for Global News.
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