4 Sault police officers charged after public complaint

CITY POLICE

NEWS RELEASE

**************************** Police Services Act charges result from public complaint

On July 5, 2010, the Sault Ste Marie Police Service was advised by the office of the independent police review director that a public complaint had been made against members of the Police Service with respect to the motor vehicle collision that took the life of Matthew Howard on February 28, 2010.

At the request of Chief Robert Davies, the OIPRD agreed to keep carriage of the complaint and they conducted an independent review of the police traffic collision investigation.

On November 23, 2010, the OIPRD notified the Sault Ste Marie Police Service that their investigation substantiated misconduct allegations against four members of the Police Service and further directed Chief Davies to commence a hearing against the four subject officers under the disciplinary provisions of the Police Services Act of Ontario.

The misconduct allegations are as follows:

Subject officer #1, constable - One count of neglect of duty

Subject officer #2, acting sergeant - One count of neglect of duty

Subject officer #3, sergeant - One count of neglect of duty, one count of discreditable conduct

Subject officer #4, inspector - One count of neglect of duty, one count of discreditable conduct

On December 8, 2010, the four subject officers were served with a notice of hearing to appear before Hearing Officer Terry Kelly.

He is a retired deputy chief from the York Regional Police Service.

A first appearance date by teleconference has been scheduled for December 16, 2010 at 10 a.m. for all four officers.

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