Just when you thought things were getting better with the Cobourg Police – they throw a curve ball.
On the strange scale – this one was hit out of the park.
Lately, as most people who read the press releases issued by the service, names are starting to be released.
Previously the Cobourg Police stopped issuing names of people who have been criminally charged. There was an uproar for a number of months, possibly even the last few years.
But thankfully to most, the names started reappearing. It was a quiet sigh of relief for people who wanted to know the names of people charged. “Charged,” but not convicted.
And with every decision in life, there will be those who agree with it and those that don’t.
But it goes without question that a person who is continually charged for breaching, failing to show up in court or other criminal offences should be released. Hopefully most would agree on that.
Some services like Port Hope don’t issue names with their releases. But with Port Hope Police, media releases are few and far between anyway. But services like the OPP release names of anyone charged criminally – which we believe should be the case.
Which brings us to the last few press releases by the Cobourg Police Service.
Names have been omitted once again by the Service and Today’s Northumberland inquired as to what changed?
There was no reply after sending an e-mail to the communications officer and to the police chief.
So, we reached out to the chief personally – no response.
Then, sent another strictly to the media officer.
The reply we got was nothing short of dumbfounding.
Manager of Communications, Lisa Munday stated, “the policy has not changed.”
“We are releasing names pursuant to our policy in instances directly related to Dynamic Patrol efforts.
When someone is charged in this area of focus, names will be released.”
So let’s take this apart for just a moment.
The service is stating that if you’re charged on one side of the street that is in the “Dynamic Patrol” area, you’re name will be released, but you could be charged with the same offence and be on the other side of the street and it won’t be.
Crazy right?
A person could have their name released for an offence like impaired driving if you’re in downtown Cobourg, but if you’re in the west, east or north end of Cobourg it won’t be. You could be a repeat offender for a criminal offence, skipped court, but, because you’re in the area of sanctuary outside the “Dynamic Patrol” area, you’re name won’t be released.
So the same person could be charged with the same crime – but depending where you’re charged will decide if your name is released.
This has got to be one of the wackiest policies in recent memory for the Cobourg Police.
Where does Police Services Board Chair Ron Kerr and the rest of the Board stand on this topic?
When it was implemented, were any questions raised?
Once again it’s one step forward, two steps back.
Make it make sense.
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
