Belleville Police Chief Ron Gignac(Photo/Quinte News)
The Belleville Police Service, along with every other police service in Ontario, is waiting for detailed regulations so the changes allowed by Bill 175, the Safer Ontario Act, can actually be enacted.
Belleville Mayor Taso Christopher asked Chief of Police, Ron Gignac, whether he now had the power to suspend an officer charged with a serious crime without pay.
The Chief said he and others were still waiting for details from the province adding that the current system whereby an officer can only be suspended with pay can be very costly to the taxpayer.
Chief Gignac was referring to the Constable Eric Shorey matter involving criminal harassment charges.
The lack of detail from the province regarding which services could be performed by less trained personnel in an effort to save money and free up police officers for more important work has also held up police services from changing how they operate.
