Complaints against Greater Sudbury Police up in 2014
Complaints deal with incivility, discreditable conduct and miscommunications
Complaints are up against Greater Sudbury Police, according to figures released at Thursday's police services board meeting.
A total of 12 more complaints were filed in 2014 than the year before.
As with any communication, it's just a breakdown in communication that can be straightened out.- Sudbury Police Chief Paul Pedersen
Greater Sudbury Police superintendent Sheilah Weber said three of the 44 complaints police received last year remain unresolved. But the rest of been withdrawn, resolved, found to be unsubstantiated or thrown out.
Chief Paul Pedersen said that's because sometimes there are misunderstandings between the public and police.
"As with any communication, it's just a breakdown in communication that can be straightened out."
Last year, 13 complaints had to do with incivility, of lack of good manners, and 12 complaints had to do with discreditable conduct.
Pedersen said it was coincidental that the police board was talking about complaints and investigations so soon after a Sudbury police constable was charged with assault.
"It's just a good time to talk about openness and transparency," he said.
He noted police present a topic to the police services board every month. This just happens to be the month they present the board with statistics about complaints and investigations.
