The Ontario government will create an external Independent Review Panel that will examine the workplace culture of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). The proposed review was prompted by recent suicide deaths of OPP members, as well as complaints about the workplace culture by current and former OPP staff.
“Frontline OPP members in cities and towns across Ontario have raised concerns,” said Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General. “Ensuring the safety and well-being of our frontline staff is my top priority. OPP officers have our back. They deserve a government that has theirs.”
The three-person panel will also work with newly appointed OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique to improve the working lives of the uniformed and civilian members of the OPP.
“Our government will act swiftly. That’s why the panel will commence their work in May and provide an interim report to myself by mid-summer, with a final report by early fall,” said Jones.
As Ontario’s Government for the People works to fix an unsustainable financial situation, the government has put OPP personnel and their families first by investing in a comprehensive mental health support program in partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police Association.
“We took a first step in addressing some of the concerns at the OPP by recently announcing mental health support, but more must be done,” said Jones. “The well-being of our sworn officers, civilian staff, and their families is too important.”
QUICK FACTS
The three-member panel will consist of:
Douglas Cunningham – Former Associate Chief Justice of Ontario
Murray Segal – Former Deputy Attorney General of Ontario
David Cooke – Former Ontario MPP and Cabinet Minister.
Cost for this initiative will be capped at $500,000, with administrative support leveraged from within government to minimize costs.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
