The Chair of the Cobourg Police Services Board has answered questions concerning a social media post on Saturday that stated there were only two officers working in Cobourg until 6 p.m.
The Facebook posted stated, “absolute insanity these days in policing.”
It went on to say there was two officers working in a town of approximately 18,000 residents along with a music and food festival and a beach volleyball tournament.
Cobourg resident Ron Hyatt e-mailed Cobourg Mayor John Henderson his concerns, but as Henderson is a member of the Cobourg Police Services Board, he forwarded the e-mail to Chair of the Cobourg Police Services Board, Dean Pepper.
The following is a copy of the e-mails that Hyatt forward to Today’s Northumberland.
Sent: July 8, 2019 8:30 PM
To: John Henderson
Subject: Policing issue
Hello Mr. Mayor
I’m writing as a concerned citizen and I’m sure you are aware of a recent report made public about a social media post of Officer Davis in which he stated that he was one of two officers on duty Saturday until 6pm. I understand that this is under investigation and that you are probably bound by what you can say but as our mayor do you believe that citizens are vulnerable during times like this? I have heard that this isn’t the first time that our police have been under staffed. Why is this being permitted? Citizens deserve answers which I hope this investigation will bring. Please Mr. Mayor for the citizens of this town who essentially are your employers don’t let this issue be pushed aside we the citizens want and deserve answers but more importantly we want to know that we can depend on our police force if needed.
Sincerely Ron Hyatt
From: John Henderson
Date: July 9, 2019 at 2:12:44 PM EDT
To: Ron Hyatt
Subject: RE: Policing issue
Ron,
I have noted your email and I have forwarded it to Dean Pepper, chairperson of the Cobourg Police Service Board, who is the spokesperson for our Board.
Regards,
John
From: Dean Pepper
Date: July 9, 2019 at 3:27:06 PM EDT
Subject: Cobourg Police Service
Dear Mr. Hyatt
I received a copy of your email to Mayor Henderson and as I am the Chairman and spokes person for the Cobourg Police Service Board, I am responding to your concerns.
At the onset, I will tell you that the “Tweet” was not accurate in the sense that it gave the impression that the Cobourg Police Service had only 2 people on to respond to service calls. Yes, we were one person short as there was a late call to the station of one officer off because of illness. There were at least 3 special constables on patrol and a duty officer in the station. If need be, we do have procedures in place to respond to any and all emergencies. And yes, we did fall one officer short from our compliment during that one shift.
The Cobourg Police Service Board which is the public oversight for the Cobourg Police Service takes public safety very seriously and normally have procedures in place for the short term and very shortly you will hear some news from the service to address this issue for the long term. I can assure you that public safety was not compromised during the weekend or any other time.
If need be, my phone number is below if you want to discuss this issue further or need any clarification.
Dean Pepper
Chairman, Cobourg Police Service Board
Cobourg, Ontario
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