OPP interim commissioner asks ombudsman to investigate Taverner appointment
Posted December 11, 2018 8:15 pm.
Last Updated December 12, 2018 5:58 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Ontario Provincial Police interim commissioner Brad Blair is asking the the province’s ombudsmen to investigate the recent appointment of Ron Taverner as commissioner.
OPP confirmed to CityNews Brad Blair has called for an investigation into Taverner’s appointment, but couldn’t expand on any of the details. It has also confirmed Blair has hired a lawyer.
The request filed by Brad Blair claimed that there are “growing concerns over the hiring process” which he claims has “deeply affected the morale of the rank and file, according to a letter obtained by the CBC.
Taverner, a veteran Toronto police officer and a close friend of Premier Doug Ford, will be taking over the position on December 17 for a term of 3 years.
His appointment was announced back on Nov. 29 in a statement from Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Sylvia Jones, who said his appointment by the Ontario cabinet was based on the “unanimous recommendation of a selection committee comprised exclusively of members of the Ontario public service.”
Ford has been insistent that he was “absolutely not” involved in Taverner’s appointment to the top job at the provincial police force.
Critics have been calling for an investigation into the hiring of Taverner but Ford said the selection process was a fair one.
Read a copy of Blair’s letter below:
Brad Blair's letter to Mr. Dube about OPP Commissioner's hiring by CityNewsToronto on Scribd
