It’s time the Cobourg Police Service did something it hasn’t done for quite some time.
That is – be transparent and more importantly be accountable.
Not the officers, and likely not even management – but specifically the Chief.
Either release names of everyone charged in a press release – or don’t.
But to have a mixture of both leads to much speculation.
Is it something personal the service has with individuals whose names are released?
Or is it about throwing darts at a dart board and if you get a bulls eye the name is released.
The latest confusion came on Thursday, April 17, 2025 when a persons name was released.
The headline said the person was charged with failing to comply with bail conditions.
Not the worlds worst crime – or to break it down in simplest forms – it happens fairly frequently.
Further in the release it states the suspect was charged with possession of Fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking.
Today’s Northumberland has always believed that if a person is charge criminally their name should be released. It’s public information.
Some services don’t release names of the accused, others like the OPP do.
Disregarding that – police should either decide to release all names, or release no names at all.
We’ve been down this road before in terms of the Cobourg Police policy – if there is one.
Picking and choosing what names are released is simply wrong.
It leads to much speculation why the name was released.
Was it personal?
Was it a mistake?
Do police have a opinion of the suspect that makes them want to publicly shame them?
Today’s Northumberland sent an e-mail to Chief Paul VandeGraaf, Communications spokesperson Lisa Munday and Board Chair Adam Bureau wondering why this suspects name was released.
We’ve heard nothing – which isn’t unusual as we’ve sent e-mails before asking with no reply.
There was no warrant, no weapons, no assault police.
In the last week, a person was charged with assaulting a security guard at Transition House and fail to comply – no name released.
In another incident only three days ago, a 18-year-old Cobourg woman was arrested and charged with Obstruct Peace Officer, three counts of Assault Peace Officer, and two counts of Uttering Threats – no name released.
One security guard and three officers assaulted, two counts of uttering threats and no name for either press release.
It’s damn embarrassing for members of the service.
The question is an operational one, so Bureau has nothing to do with the decision to release or not release a suspects name, but we included him in the e-mail thread to show the lack of transparency and accountability of the service.
If a suspect has been charged numerous times with any offence like fail to comply, is it their fault the suspect is released – or the courts?
Previously the service released names of a person had stolen a shopping cart in a certain area of town.
Yet if you were charged with almost any other offence just a few metres away on the other side of the road your name wouldn’t be released.
There are to many questions when names are and aren’t released – stick to one for the benefit of the reader and the public they serve.
If you’re not accountable and transparency to the public you serve – it becomes an empire.
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
