London's police board calls on province to back option of suspending officers without pay
Union head asks for careful approach in blocking officers from benefits if they're in crisis
London's Police Services Board is calling on the province to give police chiefs the power to suspend without pay officers who are charged or convicted of a serious offence.
The motion passed at Thursday's board meeting is aimed at avoiding situations where suspended officers collect their salary — in some cases for years — while a criminal or disciplinary investigation drags on.
Legislation already exists which grants police chiefs the power to suspend officers accused of major misconduct without pay. The provincial government drafted the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA) in July of 2020. However, the law is not yet in force, though the solicitor general's office says it's in the works.
Board members who spoke in favour of the motion Thursday said they're hoping the motion will help nudge the province to move ahead with the change, which has strong support among police organizations.
Board member Jesse Helmer said it's a change that's overdue.
"When police officers commit criminal acts, it's very damaging," said Helmer. "And to have them on paid leave while all this is being investigated, which can go on for years, it just makes it more damaging overall to the public's trust in police."
Helmer said giving chiefs the power to suspend officers without pay would be helpful in situations in which officers are facing misconduct or criminal charges that are so serious, it's unlikely they will ever return to the job. The motion also calls on the province to streamline the process of firing an officer who's been found guilty of "serious or criminal misconduct."
And while the motion received support from the board, the head of London's police union called for caution.
Rick Robson, executive director of the London Police Association, said chiefs should step carefully before cutting officers off from pay and benefits, particularly if they are in crisis.
Robson said some studies have shown officers can develop suicidal thoughts in situations where they're access to benefits is threatened.