By Cecilia Nasmith/Northumberland 89.7 FM/Today’s Northumberland
The Cobourg Police Services Board will refer an anonymous complaint to a third party, after the province declined to take action.
The anonymous letter was on the agenda for the November board meeting, but no copy of it was supplied. Its contents have been characterized by Today’s Northumberland as allegations of illegal activities, racism, sexism and cronyism. At the December board meeting, there were references to complaints of misconduct and disclosures of misconduct and reprisals.
Again, no copy of the letter was included in the December agenda package, though there was included a response – a letter from solicitor Glenn P. Christie marked “STRICTLY PRIVILEGED & CONFIDENTIAL.”
“He has laid out a number of steps he thinks the board should follow,” board chair Ronald Kerr said.
Northumberland 89.7’s Dan Jones later reported that the letter said an investigation is still needed to determine the allegations. At the meeting, Dean Pepper suggested following the solicitor’s recommendations “step by step.”
Member Sean Graham asked Chief Paul VandeGraaf if he had the resources to carry out Mr. Christie’s advice.
“Now that we have the board’s direction, staff will start to dissect the letter – but we will be going through a third police agency for assistance,” the chief replied.
Graham declared that “a wise decision, to get away from any perception of bias.”
VandeGraaf added that he will begin the process early in the new year.
“There can be considerable expense, which is unfortunate – but this is the path we have to follow,” Chairman Kerr agreed.
