Taverner will assume post on Dec.17, and will serve for a term of up to 3 years
Ronald (Ron) Taverner has been appointed commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Sylvia Jones announced Thursday.
Taverner, currently a superintendent with Toronto Police, will assume his post on Dec. 17 and will serve for a term of up to three years, Jones said.
He will replace Vince Hawkes, who retired this month after serving more than four years.
"I'm very pleased to appoint Ron Taverner as OPP Commissioner," Jones said. "He is a relationship builder, and I'm certain he will have a positive impact on policing across Ontario."
Jones said Taverner, who is currently Unit Commander of 12, 23, and 31 Divisions with the Toronto Police Service, was appointed by Cabinet, based on the unanimous recommendation of a selection committee comprised exclusively of members of the Ontario Public Service and supported by Odgers Berndtson, an executive search firm.
"With over 50 years' experience, Ron brings the support of front-line officers, community leaders and our respected law enforcement professionals," Jones said.
"We will be well served by an officer who has dedicated his life to making our communities a safer place to live."
Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders, responding to the appointment, said Taverner is a huge asset for the people of Ontario.
"I can't think of a more qualified and dedicated leader for the job. He's been a strong advocate for the community and our city. The OPP's gain is Toronto's loss," Saunders said.
Meanwhile, Rob Jamieson, president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association said his union looks forward to working collaboratively with Taverner, "someone who has such a proven track record in law enforcement."
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ ... -1.4926637
OPP leadership must be free of politicial suspicion
Toronto Police superintendent Ron Taverner appointed new OPP commissioner
Thomas, Administrator
New commissioner of OPP appointed
TORONTO -- A veteran Toronto police officer has been named the next commissioner of Ontario Provincial Police.
Supt. Ronald Taverner will take over the post on Dec. 17, according to a news release from the provincial government.
He takes over the job from Brad Blair, who held the commissioner's post on an interim basis after the retirement of Vince Hawkes earlier this month.
The province says Taverner began his policing career in 1967 and has worked in intelligence, organized crime and community policing over a career spanning more than 50 years.
He's currently the unit commander of three divisions within the Toronto Police Service.
Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones says Taverner was appointed the next OPP commissioner by the provincial cabinet, based on the unanimous recommendation of a selection committee.
Taverner "brings the support of front-line officers, community leaders and our respected law enforcement professionals" to the top job, Jones said in a statement.
"He is a relationship builder, and I'm certain he will have a positive impact on policing across Ontario."
https://barrie.ctvnews.ca/new-commissio ... -1.4199535
Supt. Ronald Taverner will take over the post on Dec. 17, according to a news release from the provincial government.
He takes over the job from Brad Blair, who held the commissioner's post on an interim basis after the retirement of Vince Hawkes earlier this month.
The province says Taverner began his policing career in 1967 and has worked in intelligence, organized crime and community policing over a career spanning more than 50 years.
He's currently the unit commander of three divisions within the Toronto Police Service.
Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones says Taverner was appointed the next OPP commissioner by the provincial cabinet, based on the unanimous recommendation of a selection committee.
Taverner "brings the support of front-line officers, community leaders and our respected law enforcement professionals" to the top job, Jones said in a statement.
"He is a relationship builder, and I'm certain he will have a positive impact on policing across Ontario."
https://barrie.ctvnews.ca/new-commissio ... -1.4199535
Thomas, Administrator
Toronto police unit commander Ron Taverner to head OPP
The head of Toronto’s homicide squad said it should come as no surprise that his longtime colleague Supt. Ron Taverner has been appointed commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police.
Acting Insp. Hank Idsinga echoed sentiments shared by the police community and leaders of various community agencies, lauding Taverner as an advocate for building relationships with marginalized communities.
“It’s a big loss for us, but he’s put in a lot of years,” Idsinga said of Taverner’s departure after five decades serving in various divisions and units, including intelligence, organized crime enforcement, outlaw motorcycle gangs and community policing. “He has definitely made things better for us. He’s going to be an asset for the OPP.”
Taverner’s appointment was announced Thursday by Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. He will assume his role as Ontario’s top cop, Dec. 17. He replaces Vince Hawkes, who recently retired after over four years at the helm.
“With over 50 years’ experience, Ron brings (with him) the support of front-line officers, community leaders and our respected law enforcement professionals,” Jones said. “We will be well served by an officer who has dedicated his life to making our communities a safer place to live.”
Idsinga said Taverner’s leadership skills prepare him for the task of managing the big challenge of leading the OPP, which consists of more than 6,000 uniformed officers and nearly 3,000 civilian members.
“I don’t think his appointment comes as a surprise at all,” Idsinga said. “Toronto produces some of the best police leaders.”
The careers of both lawmen have intertwined over the years, with Taverner serving as a mentor and senior officer throughout various junctures in Idsinga’s own move up the ranks.
“He was the unit commander of 51 Division, when I first got promoted to sergeant, and he brought me to 51 Division,” Idsinga said.
Idsinga recalls Taverner answering the call for support on many occasions during murder investigations in 23 Division, where Taverner served as unit commander.
“Almost every time we go there, no matter when, the first person you end up seeing is Ron,” Idsinga said. “He’ll bend over backwards to get the job done and get you whatever you need. He literally will run around moving furniture for us.”
Taverner, unit commander at 23, 12 and 31 Divisions, is a longtime friend of the Ford family. His north Etobicoke police division borders the Fords’ home.
Taverner, who received the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, in 2009, was appointed by cabinet, based on the unanimous recommendation of a selection committee comprised exclusively of members of the Ontario Public Service and supported by Odgers Berndtson, an executive search firm.
The government announcement mentions Taverner’s involvement with numerous community agencies, such as Albion Neighbourhood Services and Truth 15 Community Support.
He was praised by Althea Martin Risden, director, health promotion, Rexdale Community Health Centre (RCHC), one of the community agencies Taverner supported during his tenure.
“Superintendent Ron Taverner has been a great partner and leader in the Rexdale Community,” Martin Risden said. “He has given of his time to many initiatives one such being the Healthy Kids Community Challenge Rexdale, a program of RCHC, as a community champion, and specifically supported the development of Hockey in Rexdale, which was an initiative to teach kids to skate.”
Not everyone welcomed news of his appointment. The reaction from Desmond Cole and Andray Domise, both of whom are Black Toronto-based writers, was less warm.
Cole criticized the police division’s treatment of Black people in the community. He said the close relationship between Premier Doug Ford’s family and Taverner “needs to be scrutinized.”
Domise, who lived in 23 Division and ran an unsuccessful 2014 council bid in that ward, said being harassed by police was “the daily reality of living in Rexdale,” where “get-tough policing” is commonplace. Domise has attended numerous community meetings attended by Taverner.
“Very involved and co-operation with (the community) are two different things,” Domise said of Taverner’s work.
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/1 ... d-opp.html
Acting Insp. Hank Idsinga echoed sentiments shared by the police community and leaders of various community agencies, lauding Taverner as an advocate for building relationships with marginalized communities.
“It’s a big loss for us, but he’s put in a lot of years,” Idsinga said of Taverner’s departure after five decades serving in various divisions and units, including intelligence, organized crime enforcement, outlaw motorcycle gangs and community policing. “He has definitely made things better for us. He’s going to be an asset for the OPP.”
Taverner’s appointment was announced Thursday by Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. He will assume his role as Ontario’s top cop, Dec. 17. He replaces Vince Hawkes, who recently retired after over four years at the helm.
“With over 50 years’ experience, Ron brings (with him) the support of front-line officers, community leaders and our respected law enforcement professionals,” Jones said. “We will be well served by an officer who has dedicated his life to making our communities a safer place to live.”
Idsinga said Taverner’s leadership skills prepare him for the task of managing the big challenge of leading the OPP, which consists of more than 6,000 uniformed officers and nearly 3,000 civilian members.
“I don’t think his appointment comes as a surprise at all,” Idsinga said. “Toronto produces some of the best police leaders.”
The careers of both lawmen have intertwined over the years, with Taverner serving as a mentor and senior officer throughout various junctures in Idsinga’s own move up the ranks.
“He was the unit commander of 51 Division, when I first got promoted to sergeant, and he brought me to 51 Division,” Idsinga said.
Idsinga recalls Taverner answering the call for support on many occasions during murder investigations in 23 Division, where Taverner served as unit commander.
“Almost every time we go there, no matter when, the first person you end up seeing is Ron,” Idsinga said. “He’ll bend over backwards to get the job done and get you whatever you need. He literally will run around moving furniture for us.”
Taverner, unit commander at 23, 12 and 31 Divisions, is a longtime friend of the Ford family. His north Etobicoke police division borders the Fords’ home.
Taverner, who received the Order of Merit of the Police Forces, in 2009, was appointed by cabinet, based on the unanimous recommendation of a selection committee comprised exclusively of members of the Ontario Public Service and supported by Odgers Berndtson, an executive search firm.
The government announcement mentions Taverner’s involvement with numerous community agencies, such as Albion Neighbourhood Services and Truth 15 Community Support.
He was praised by Althea Martin Risden, director, health promotion, Rexdale Community Health Centre (RCHC), one of the community agencies Taverner supported during his tenure.
“Superintendent Ron Taverner has been a great partner and leader in the Rexdale Community,” Martin Risden said. “He has given of his time to many initiatives one such being the Healthy Kids Community Challenge Rexdale, a program of RCHC, as a community champion, and specifically supported the development of Hockey in Rexdale, which was an initiative to teach kids to skate.”
Not everyone welcomed news of his appointment. The reaction from Desmond Cole and Andray Domise, both of whom are Black Toronto-based writers, was less warm.
Cole criticized the police division’s treatment of Black people in the community. He said the close relationship between Premier Doug Ford’s family and Taverner “needs to be scrutinized.”
Domise, who lived in 23 Division and ran an unsuccessful 2014 council bid in that ward, said being harassed by police was “the daily reality of living in Rexdale,” where “get-tough policing” is commonplace. Domise has attended numerous community meetings attended by Taverner.
“Very involved and co-operation with (the community) are two different things,” Domise said of Taverner’s work.
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/1 ... d-opp.html
Thomas, Administrator
Ontario names Toronto police veteran Ron Taverner as chief of OPP
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s cabinet has tapped a veteran Toronto police commander from the Ford family’s power base of Etobicoke in the city’s west end to head the country’s second-largest police force.
The government on Thursday announced that Toronto Police Service Superintendent Ron Taverner will be the new Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner, putting him at the head of a sprawling force whose top job has been vacant since early this month.
Second in Canada only to the RCMP in size, the OPP has more than 8,000 employees spread across more than 150 detachments. Its officers patrol small communities and large highways, and also run specialized units devoted to tackling organized crime and anti-racket enforcement.
The force’s former chief, Vince Hawkes, retired after a four-year term early this month. Supt. Taverner, who will rise several ranks, joined the Toronto Police Service as a high-school graduate in 1967. Supt. Taverner did not respond to requests for comment.
In the early 2000s, he was installed as the unit commander of Toronto’s 23 Division. He still retains this role, although he now also commands most precincts incorporating the former city of Etobicoke.
This is the same amalgamated municipality where Rob and Doug Ford came to prominence as city councillors, gaining popularity with promises that only law-and-order solutions could clean up the city.
The brothers' rise to power in the 2000s and 2010s gave them a common cause with Supt. Taverner, who through this time was locked in a chronic battle with guns and gangs at 23 Division.
Alok Mukherjee, the former long-serving chair of the Toronto Police Services Board, says that despite Supt. Taverner’s past ties to the Fords, he will have to maintain independence in his new role. “Ron [Taverner] has been very close to the Ford family," he said in an interview. “He and the Premier have had a close relationship.”
Mr. Mukherjee pointed out that past OPP political probes have led to criminal charges against figures associated with the former Liberal government – including a premier’s chief of staff who was sentenced to four months in jail earlier this year.
He said keeping an appropriate distance will now amount to a crucial challenge. “Let me put it this way: The OPP Commissioner role is very pivotal in maintaining an independent police force. … The issue Taverner will have to be very careful about is not being subject to any [political] direction.”
Also Thursday, a former OPP commissioner questioned whether a lifelong Toronto officer had sufficient experience to be the commander of such a sprawling provincial force.
Chris Lewis, a career OPP officer who headed the provincial force between 2010 to 2014, told CP24 that the force had detachments larger than the divisions Supt. Taverner commands.
While he said Supt. Taverner was “well experienced,” he thought the appointment was “a real kick to the OPP and the senior officers in there that know this province, know this organization.”
Mr. Ford has promised to make policing a key issue. In the summer, one of his first acts as Premier was to call police union leaders to tell them he would be delaying the implementation of a police-accountability act passed by the previous government. In August, the government announced $25-million in new funding to shore up police efforts to battle guns and gangs.
In a statement late Thursday, the government said Supt. Taverner was picked “based on a unanimous recommendation of a selection committee” involving civil servants and an executive search firm.
“He is a relationship builder,” Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones said in a statement. “And I’m certain he will have a positive impact on policing across Ontario.”
Supt. Taverner assumes the post on Dec. 17.
His appointment is the second high-level appointment from the Toronto Police Service since the Tories took office.
In October, Mario di Tommaso, a former staff superintendent in Toronto’s west, was selected to be a deputy minister presiding over the policing wing of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, a portfolio that includes helping run the OPP. At the time, Supt. Taverner applauded the move to hire Mr. di Tommaso.
Mr. Mukherjee, the former Toronto police-board chair, credits Supt. Taverner for being a police commander with a lot of energy. But he also said it will be a leap for him to go from a city district to running such a big police force. “Most superintendents move every five years or so. But Ron has always stayed in place,” Mr. Mukherjee said.
Earlier this week, Supt. Taverner was publicly celebrated for a half-century’s worth of “community builder” work by a Toronto charity.
“Currently in his 51st year with the Toronto Police Service, Supt. Ron Taverner has earned the respect and trust of the public and other officials over his five decades of service,” read a statement from Jake’s House, a group that helps children with autism.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/ ... -chief-of/
The government on Thursday announced that Toronto Police Service Superintendent Ron Taverner will be the new Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner, putting him at the head of a sprawling force whose top job has been vacant since early this month.
Second in Canada only to the RCMP in size, the OPP has more than 8,000 employees spread across more than 150 detachments. Its officers patrol small communities and large highways, and also run specialized units devoted to tackling organized crime and anti-racket enforcement.
The force’s former chief, Vince Hawkes, retired after a four-year term early this month. Supt. Taverner, who will rise several ranks, joined the Toronto Police Service as a high-school graduate in 1967. Supt. Taverner did not respond to requests for comment.
In the early 2000s, he was installed as the unit commander of Toronto’s 23 Division. He still retains this role, although he now also commands most precincts incorporating the former city of Etobicoke.
This is the same amalgamated municipality where Rob and Doug Ford came to prominence as city councillors, gaining popularity with promises that only law-and-order solutions could clean up the city.
The brothers' rise to power in the 2000s and 2010s gave them a common cause with Supt. Taverner, who through this time was locked in a chronic battle with guns and gangs at 23 Division.
Alok Mukherjee, the former long-serving chair of the Toronto Police Services Board, says that despite Supt. Taverner’s past ties to the Fords, he will have to maintain independence in his new role. “Ron [Taverner] has been very close to the Ford family," he said in an interview. “He and the Premier have had a close relationship.”
Mr. Mukherjee pointed out that past OPP political probes have led to criminal charges against figures associated with the former Liberal government – including a premier’s chief of staff who was sentenced to four months in jail earlier this year.
He said keeping an appropriate distance will now amount to a crucial challenge. “Let me put it this way: The OPP Commissioner role is very pivotal in maintaining an independent police force. … The issue Taverner will have to be very careful about is not being subject to any [political] direction.”
Also Thursday, a former OPP commissioner questioned whether a lifelong Toronto officer had sufficient experience to be the commander of such a sprawling provincial force.
Chris Lewis, a career OPP officer who headed the provincial force between 2010 to 2014, told CP24 that the force had detachments larger than the divisions Supt. Taverner commands.
While he said Supt. Taverner was “well experienced,” he thought the appointment was “a real kick to the OPP and the senior officers in there that know this province, know this organization.”
Mr. Ford has promised to make policing a key issue. In the summer, one of his first acts as Premier was to call police union leaders to tell them he would be delaying the implementation of a police-accountability act passed by the previous government. In August, the government announced $25-million in new funding to shore up police efforts to battle guns and gangs.
In a statement late Thursday, the government said Supt. Taverner was picked “based on a unanimous recommendation of a selection committee” involving civil servants and an executive search firm.
“He is a relationship builder,” Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones said in a statement. “And I’m certain he will have a positive impact on policing across Ontario.”
Supt. Taverner assumes the post on Dec. 17.
His appointment is the second high-level appointment from the Toronto Police Service since the Tories took office.
In October, Mario di Tommaso, a former staff superintendent in Toronto’s west, was selected to be a deputy minister presiding over the policing wing of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, a portfolio that includes helping run the OPP. At the time, Supt. Taverner applauded the move to hire Mr. di Tommaso.
Mr. Mukherjee, the former Toronto police-board chair, credits Supt. Taverner for being a police commander with a lot of energy. But he also said it will be a leap for him to go from a city district to running such a big police force. “Most superintendents move every five years or so. But Ron has always stayed in place,” Mr. Mukherjee said.
Earlier this week, Supt. Taverner was publicly celebrated for a half-century’s worth of “community builder” work by a Toronto charity.
“Currently in his 51st year with the Toronto Police Service, Supt. Ron Taverner has earned the respect and trust of the public and other officials over his five decades of service,” read a statement from Jake’s House, a group that helps children with autism.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/ ... -chief-of/
Thomas, Administrator
OPP leadership must be free of politicial suspicion
The men and women who lead our police forces should be free of any suspicion that they’re likely to be swayed by political influence.
That much is obvious, and in Ontario it’s especially true for the biggest force in the province, the one that’s the first to be called in when there’s wrongdoing by politicians or government officials.
So it’s no wonder eyebrows are being raised over the appointment of a man known as a long-time personal friend of the Ford family as the new commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
There’s no doubt Toronto police Supt. Ron Taverner has vast policing experience after more than 50 years on the force.
But that wasn’t the first thing that came to mind when Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones announced that Taverner would take over leadership of the OPP, with its 6,000 officers and almost 3,000 civilian employees, on Dec. 17.
Rather, it was Taverner’s longstanding and well-known association with Premier Doug Ford, his late bother Rob Ford, and the entire family from his long service as commander of the Toronto police units covering Etobicoke, where the family is based.
By all accounts this is more than a cordial professional relationship. The Star’s Betsy Powell reports that Taverner got to know Rob Ford while Ford was a city councillor representing an Etobicoke ward and Taverner was a senior officer in the area.
Taverner also attended the famous Ford family barbeques, met regularly with the brothers, and went on a trip to see a hockey game in Chicago with Doug Ford and police Chief Mark Saunders in 2016. It’s all a bit too cozy, or at least it certainly looks that way. Especially when Taverner’s promotion jumps him up several ranks and over the senior leadership of the OPP.
There are also questions about how Toronto police handled the investigation into Rob Ford’s activities while he was mayor.
Then-chief Bill Blair made sure that a separate set of officers under the code name Project Brazen 2, not connected with the Etobicoke units overseen by Taverner, took the lead in investigating potential criminal activity by Rob Ford and others. As Blair knew, it was crucial to maintain public confidence in the investigation by doing everything possible to avoid even perceived conflicts of interest.
That’s what’s at risk in the Ford government’s appointment of Taverner as commissioner of the OPP. Chris Lewis, who headed the OPP from 2010 to 2014, said late last week that “the fix” was in on the appointment process because of Taverner’s close ties to the Ford family. “There’s old relationships there, we all know it, and I think it is a travesty this occurred,” Lewis told CP24.
All this leaves aside legitimate questions about whether Taverner, as 72-year-old veteran officer who has operated in Etobicoke for many years, is best suited to lead a province-wide force that is the second-largest in the country after the RCMP. It isn’t the most forward-looking appointment.
Beyond that, there’s a worrisome pattern developing of Doug Ford leaning on organizations that should have an arms-length relationship with the government of the moment to ensure people close to him get the top jobs.
At Hydro One, he is reportedly in a standoff with independent directors over the new CEO of the company. Independent directors want to name one of three hydro executives from British Columbia while the premier is said to be pushing his own candidates, including the head of Toronto Hydro, Anthony Haines, whom he got to know when he was on Toronto city council.
Ontario doesn’t need a government of cronies, appointed to the top of corporations or police forces on the basis of their loyalty to the province’s political leadership. Ontarians deserve to know that when push comes to shove, senior public servants will act in the interests of the public. Their confidence will be shaken the more it looks as if personal ties are what really matters.
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editori ... icion.html
http://streetlevelpundit.ca/opp-leaders ... suspicion/
That much is obvious, and in Ontario it’s especially true for the biggest force in the province, the one that’s the first to be called in when there’s wrongdoing by politicians or government officials.
So it’s no wonder eyebrows are being raised over the appointment of a man known as a long-time personal friend of the Ford family as the new commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
There’s no doubt Toronto police Supt. Ron Taverner has vast policing experience after more than 50 years on the force.
But that wasn’t the first thing that came to mind when Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones announced that Taverner would take over leadership of the OPP, with its 6,000 officers and almost 3,000 civilian employees, on Dec. 17.
Rather, it was Taverner’s longstanding and well-known association with Premier Doug Ford, his late bother Rob Ford, and the entire family from his long service as commander of the Toronto police units covering Etobicoke, where the family is based.
By all accounts this is more than a cordial professional relationship. The Star’s Betsy Powell reports that Taverner got to know Rob Ford while Ford was a city councillor representing an Etobicoke ward and Taverner was a senior officer in the area.
Taverner also attended the famous Ford family barbeques, met regularly with the brothers, and went on a trip to see a hockey game in Chicago with Doug Ford and police Chief Mark Saunders in 2016. It’s all a bit too cozy, or at least it certainly looks that way. Especially when Taverner’s promotion jumps him up several ranks and over the senior leadership of the OPP.
There are also questions about how Toronto police handled the investigation into Rob Ford’s activities while he was mayor.
Then-chief Bill Blair made sure that a separate set of officers under the code name Project Brazen 2, not connected with the Etobicoke units overseen by Taverner, took the lead in investigating potential criminal activity by Rob Ford and others. As Blair knew, it was crucial to maintain public confidence in the investigation by doing everything possible to avoid even perceived conflicts of interest.
That’s what’s at risk in the Ford government’s appointment of Taverner as commissioner of the OPP. Chris Lewis, who headed the OPP from 2010 to 2014, said late last week that “the fix” was in on the appointment process because of Taverner’s close ties to the Ford family. “There’s old relationships there, we all know it, and I think it is a travesty this occurred,” Lewis told CP24.
All this leaves aside legitimate questions about whether Taverner, as 72-year-old veteran officer who has operated in Etobicoke for many years, is best suited to lead a province-wide force that is the second-largest in the country after the RCMP. It isn’t the most forward-looking appointment.
Beyond that, there’s a worrisome pattern developing of Doug Ford leaning on organizations that should have an arms-length relationship with the government of the moment to ensure people close to him get the top jobs.
At Hydro One, he is reportedly in a standoff with independent directors over the new CEO of the company. Independent directors want to name one of three hydro executives from British Columbia while the premier is said to be pushing his own candidates, including the head of Toronto Hydro, Anthony Haines, whom he got to know when he was on Toronto city council.
Ontario doesn’t need a government of cronies, appointed to the top of corporations or police forces on the basis of their loyalty to the province’s political leadership. Ontarians deserve to know that when push comes to shove, senior public servants will act in the interests of the public. Their confidence will be shaken the more it looks as if personal ties are what really matters.
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editori ... icion.html
http://streetlevelpundit.ca/opp-leaders ... suspicion/
Thomas, Administrator
Ford says he did not influence the decision to name close friend Ron Taverner as head of the OPP
A defensive Premier Doug Ford insists he had “zero influence” in the Progressive Conservative government’s controversial appointment of his close friend to head the Ontario Provincial Police.
But Ford admitted Tuesday he did not recuse himself from cabinet when Toronto police Supt. Ron Taverner, 72, was approved as OPP commissioner.
“Recuse myself from what? Know something? I go back to the three-person panel (that selected Taverner). I had zero influence and no matter who it was I would have accepted,” the premier said.
“I told them very clearly, I don’t want anything to do with this (hiring) whatsoever,” he said, referring to a panel that included Steve Orsini, head of the Ontario public service, and newly appointed deputy minister Mario Di Tommaso, Taverner’s former boss at Toronto police.
Ford’s comment came after iPolitics revealed earlier Tuesday that the government quietly modified the job posting on Oct. 22.
That helped Taverner meet the criteria as the superintendent was two ranks below the initial threshold to qualify for the position.
https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark ... ioner.html
https://www.pressreader.com/canada/toro ... 0458266387
But Ford admitted Tuesday he did not recuse himself from cabinet when Toronto police Supt. Ron Taverner, 72, was approved as OPP commissioner.
“Recuse myself from what? Know something? I go back to the three-person panel (that selected Taverner). I had zero influence and no matter who it was I would have accepted,” the premier said.
“I told them very clearly, I don’t want anything to do with this (hiring) whatsoever,” he said, referring to a panel that included Steve Orsini, head of the Ontario public service, and newly appointed deputy minister Mario Di Tommaso, Taverner’s former boss at Toronto police.
Ford’s comment came after iPolitics revealed earlier Tuesday that the government quietly modified the job posting on Oct. 22.
That helped Taverner meet the criteria as the superintendent was two ranks below the initial threshold to qualify for the position.
https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark ... ioner.html
https://www.pressreader.com/canada/toro ... 0458266387
Thomas, Administrator
Selection of Ron Taverner as OPP chief was independent, Minister insists
Ontario’s Community Safety Minister insists Premier Doug Ford had no hand in picking the province’s top cop as the Opposition on Monday pressed the government to reveal details about why a “friend” of the Premier was chosen.
Last week, Toronto Police Service Superintendent Ron Taverner was selected by the government to be the next commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police. It was a decision made through "an independent process and I think he’s going to do an excellent job,” Sylvia Jones told reporters at Queen’s Park on Monday.
She said Supt. Taverner was picked on merit from a pool of 27 candidates, who also applied for the job. Asked whether Mr. Ford had requested the hire, Ms. Jones simply said that he had not. "It was an independent hiring process, I’m not sure how many more times I can tell you, it was an independent hiring process.”
The OPP is Canada’s second-largest police force, a sprawling organization where more than 8,000 employees do everything from patrolling rural communities to putting together major organized-crime and political investigations.
Supt. Taverner has spent his career at the Toronto Police Service, which he first joined in 1967. For the past 15 years, he has been a mid-level commanding officer, overseeing the urban precincts in the West Toronto neighbourhoods comprising the former city of Etobicoke.
Because this area is also the Ford family’s political power base, critics are asking whether Supt. Taverner got the job because of personal connections.
“What we’re worried about, though, is this is a very serious position, it brings a great deal of responsibility, and it literally covers the entire province,” Andrea Horwath, the Leader of the Opposition NDP, said outside the legislature on Monday. "... Why has this friend of the Premier’s gone to the top of the list and what is the process that brought him here?”
Ms. Horwath added that a former OPP commissioner, Chris Lewis, also publicly questioned the appointment last week. Mr. Lewis told CP24 that the job was likely too big a jump for Supt. Taverner to make – and “a real kick to the OPP and the senior officers in that organization.”
In announcing the appointment last week, the government said that Supt. Taverner was hired on the “unanimous recommendation of a selection committee” made up of civil servants and an executive search firm.
On Monday, a spokesman for the Premier also said “no political staff or elected officials, including the Premier or the Premier’s Office, were involved in the selection process.”
The NDP is pressing for more specifics, but has gotten nowhere. “If you think about the anonymity of the selection committee, I think that’s a concern. That’s why we are asking the government and asking the Premier to come clean,” Ms. Horwath said. “Let’s figure out why the process left us with a candidate that leaves so many people scratching their heads,” she added.
Supt. Taverner is the second Toronto Police Service officer to be elevated by the Ontario government since the Progressive Conservatives took office this summer.
Mario di Tommaso, a former staff superintendent, was made a deputy minister of community safety in October. At the time, Supt. Taverner publicly applauded the move as an inspired choice.
It is not clear if Mr. di Tommaso, who now oversees the bureaucracy that helps run the OPP, was part of the selection committee for the commissioner. Staffers in the community safety minister’s office did not respond to an e-mail from The Globe asking for comment.
The minister said she is not concerned about the optics of Supt. Taverner being too close to the Premier.
“How about the optics of 50 years of experience?,” Ms. Jones said, adding that “policing is policing … it doesn’t matter whether you’re in rural Ontario or downtown Toronto.”
Ms. Jones said that it is hardly surprising that Mr. Ford, a former city councillor, and Supt. Taverner would know each other. “You cannot be an active part of Toronto and the Etobicoke area and not know who Ron Taverner is,” she said.
According to Ontario’s salary-disclosure “sunshine list”, Supt. Taverner could be in line for a raise. In 2017, he made about $180,000. The OPP commissioner of the day made $276,000.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/ ... -minister/
Last week, Toronto Police Service Superintendent Ron Taverner was selected by the government to be the next commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police. It was a decision made through "an independent process and I think he’s going to do an excellent job,” Sylvia Jones told reporters at Queen’s Park on Monday.
She said Supt. Taverner was picked on merit from a pool of 27 candidates, who also applied for the job. Asked whether Mr. Ford had requested the hire, Ms. Jones simply said that he had not. "It was an independent hiring process, I’m not sure how many more times I can tell you, it was an independent hiring process.”
The OPP is Canada’s second-largest police force, a sprawling organization where more than 8,000 employees do everything from patrolling rural communities to putting together major organized-crime and political investigations.
Supt. Taverner has spent his career at the Toronto Police Service, which he first joined in 1967. For the past 15 years, he has been a mid-level commanding officer, overseeing the urban precincts in the West Toronto neighbourhoods comprising the former city of Etobicoke.
Because this area is also the Ford family’s political power base, critics are asking whether Supt. Taverner got the job because of personal connections.
“What we’re worried about, though, is this is a very serious position, it brings a great deal of responsibility, and it literally covers the entire province,” Andrea Horwath, the Leader of the Opposition NDP, said outside the legislature on Monday. "... Why has this friend of the Premier’s gone to the top of the list and what is the process that brought him here?”
Ms. Horwath added that a former OPP commissioner, Chris Lewis, also publicly questioned the appointment last week. Mr. Lewis told CP24 that the job was likely too big a jump for Supt. Taverner to make – and “a real kick to the OPP and the senior officers in that organization.”
In announcing the appointment last week, the government said that Supt. Taverner was hired on the “unanimous recommendation of a selection committee” made up of civil servants and an executive search firm.
On Monday, a spokesman for the Premier also said “no political staff or elected officials, including the Premier or the Premier’s Office, were involved in the selection process.”
The NDP is pressing for more specifics, but has gotten nowhere. “If you think about the anonymity of the selection committee, I think that’s a concern. That’s why we are asking the government and asking the Premier to come clean,” Ms. Horwath said. “Let’s figure out why the process left us with a candidate that leaves so many people scratching their heads,” she added.
Supt. Taverner is the second Toronto Police Service officer to be elevated by the Ontario government since the Progressive Conservatives took office this summer.
Mario di Tommaso, a former staff superintendent, was made a deputy minister of community safety in October. At the time, Supt. Taverner publicly applauded the move as an inspired choice.
It is not clear if Mr. di Tommaso, who now oversees the bureaucracy that helps run the OPP, was part of the selection committee for the commissioner. Staffers in the community safety minister’s office did not respond to an e-mail from The Globe asking for comment.
The minister said she is not concerned about the optics of Supt. Taverner being too close to the Premier.
“How about the optics of 50 years of experience?,” Ms. Jones said, adding that “policing is policing … it doesn’t matter whether you’re in rural Ontario or downtown Toronto.”
Ms. Jones said that it is hardly surprising that Mr. Ford, a former city councillor, and Supt. Taverner would know each other. “You cannot be an active part of Toronto and the Etobicoke area and not know who Ron Taverner is,” she said.
According to Ontario’s salary-disclosure “sunshine list”, Supt. Taverner could be in line for a raise. In 2017, he made about $180,000. The OPP commissioner of the day made $276,000.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/ ... -minister/
Thomas, Administrator
Clearing the air on the OPP’s new commissioner
There is enough smoke over the hiring of a close Ford friend Ron Taverner as OPP commissioner to warrant investigation by the integrity commissioner.
When veteran Toronto Police Service superintendent Ron Taverner was first named new commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police on Nov. 29, eyebrows were raised in many quarters.
There's the fact that he's an external hire who jumped ahead of senior OPP officers. There's the fact although he has an over-50-year record as a police officer, he doesn't have leadership experience on this scale — he commanded 700 officers compared to the OPP's complement of 8,000 civilian and uniformed staff. And then there's the fact that he is 72 years old. Obviously, his age shouldn't rule him out, but it's fair to observe that when replacing the leadership of Canada's second-largest police service (after the RCMP), you would think youthful energy and innovation would be serious considerations. Perhaps Taverner has those qualities, even given his chronological seniority.
And then, there's the biggest eyebrow-raiser: Taverner is a longtime friend and supporter of both Doug Ford and his late brother Rob. He's a regular at the storied Ford barbecues and regularly breakfasted with the brothers. In 2016, he travelled with Doug Ford by private plane to Chicago to take in a Blackhawks game.
Taverner isn't just inside the Ford circle, he is a close personal friend.
Does that mean he's not the best candidate for the job? Not necessarily. But let's look at the other factors.
The government insists there was no political interference. Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Sylvia Jones said "the choice was made by an independent commissioner and it was approved by cabinet on Thursday."
Former OPP commissioner Chris Lewis doesn't agree. He told a CP24 newscast: "I think it's a real kick to the OPP, and the senior officers in that organization that know this province and know their organization, and they pick somebody from the outside with very limited experience." He also said "the fix" was in for Taverner because of his ties to Ford. "The decision was the premier's. There's old relationships there, we all know it, and I think it is a travesty this occurred."
Perhaps Lewis was expressing sour grapes given an outsider was chosen over experienced OPP senior officers? Again, maybe. But there's more.
The political news site iPolitics reported that when the OPP job was first posted, the posting included criteria about candidates needing to be "at the rank of deputy police chief or higher, or assistant commissioner or higher in a major police service ..."
Based on those conditions, Taverner isn't senior enough to even qualify for the job. Fortunately for him, the posting was amended two days later and all the rank conditions were removed. He was now eligible, applied and got the job.
The government's headhunting firm said the rank minimums were dropped to broaden the field of applicants.
Finally, let's consider the government's indignant insistence the premier's office didn't interfere. Obviously, if they say so, it must be true, right? Except ...
Last week, the Globe and Mail reported that the premier's office is fighting with Hydro One about the selection of a new CEO. And recently Ford's chief of staff, Dean French, was accused of interfering with hiring at Ontario Power Generation. And Ford himself has been known to want to get involved with police investigations, back to when his brother was the subject of one.
Citizens' advocacy group Democracy Watch wants the integrity commissioner to investigate. The government should welcome that. There may be no fire here, but there is easily enough smoke to warrant an investigation to clear the air. If the government did nothing wrong, it has nothing to fear.
https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/9 ... missioner/
When veteran Toronto Police Service superintendent Ron Taverner was first named new commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police on Nov. 29, eyebrows were raised in many quarters.
There's the fact that he's an external hire who jumped ahead of senior OPP officers. There's the fact although he has an over-50-year record as a police officer, he doesn't have leadership experience on this scale — he commanded 700 officers compared to the OPP's complement of 8,000 civilian and uniformed staff. And then there's the fact that he is 72 years old. Obviously, his age shouldn't rule him out, but it's fair to observe that when replacing the leadership of Canada's second-largest police service (after the RCMP), you would think youthful energy and innovation would be serious considerations. Perhaps Taverner has those qualities, even given his chronological seniority.
And then, there's the biggest eyebrow-raiser: Taverner is a longtime friend and supporter of both Doug Ford and his late brother Rob. He's a regular at the storied Ford barbecues and regularly breakfasted with the brothers. In 2016, he travelled with Doug Ford by private plane to Chicago to take in a Blackhawks game.
Taverner isn't just inside the Ford circle, he is a close personal friend.
Does that mean he's not the best candidate for the job? Not necessarily. But let's look at the other factors.
The government insists there was no political interference. Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Sylvia Jones said "the choice was made by an independent commissioner and it was approved by cabinet on Thursday."
Former OPP commissioner Chris Lewis doesn't agree. He told a CP24 newscast: "I think it's a real kick to the OPP, and the senior officers in that organization that know this province and know their organization, and they pick somebody from the outside with very limited experience." He also said "the fix" was in for Taverner because of his ties to Ford. "The decision was the premier's. There's old relationships there, we all know it, and I think it is a travesty this occurred."
Perhaps Lewis was expressing sour grapes given an outsider was chosen over experienced OPP senior officers? Again, maybe. But there's more.
The political news site iPolitics reported that when the OPP job was first posted, the posting included criteria about candidates needing to be "at the rank of deputy police chief or higher, or assistant commissioner or higher in a major police service ..."
Based on those conditions, Taverner isn't senior enough to even qualify for the job. Fortunately for him, the posting was amended two days later and all the rank conditions were removed. He was now eligible, applied and got the job.
The government's headhunting firm said the rank minimums were dropped to broaden the field of applicants.
Finally, let's consider the government's indignant insistence the premier's office didn't interfere. Obviously, if they say so, it must be true, right? Except ...
Last week, the Globe and Mail reported that the premier's office is fighting with Hydro One about the selection of a new CEO. And recently Ford's chief of staff, Dean French, was accused of interfering with hiring at Ontario Power Generation. And Ford himself has been known to want to get involved with police investigations, back to when his brother was the subject of one.
Citizens' advocacy group Democracy Watch wants the integrity commissioner to investigate. The government should welcome that. There may be no fire here, but there is easily enough smoke to warrant an investigation to clear the air. If the government did nothing wrong, it has nothing to fear.
https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/9 ... missioner/
Thomas, Administrator
Ford says he wasn't involved in hiring of family friend Ron Taverner as OPP commissioner
TORONTO – Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Tuesday that he was “absolutely not” involved in the appointment of a family friend to the top job at the provincial police force.
Critics have been calling for an investigation into the hiring of Ron Taverner as the next commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, but Ford said the selection process was a fair one.
When asked if he was involved in Taverner’s appointment, Ford was firm.
“Absolutely not,” he told reporters at the legislature. “It went through a transparent process.”
The premier’s comments came after his community safety minister said qualification requirements for the job were changed partway through the hiring process to broaden the pool of applicants for the post.
A report from online news website iPolitics said the original commissioner job posting required candidates to have a rank of deputy police chief or higher, or assistant commissioner or higher, in a major police service – a threshold 72-year-old Taverner, a superintendent with Toronto police, did not meet.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said it was shocking that the hiring process was changed and demanded an independent investigation into Taverner’s appointment.
“It’s all too convenient to have a good friend of the premier’s suddenly be able to qualify and then be appointed in a process that is obviously got a lot of challenges,” she said. “Where there’s smoke there’s fire. That’s why we’re having the integrity commissioner to have a look at what’s gone on here.”
Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones said the hiring firm in charge of the process to hire the new OPP commissioner made the decision to change the requirements. Taverner was a qualified candidate with decades of experience in policing, she added.
“We wanted to make sure that the best person to head our OPP was going to apply,” she said. “The hiring firm made that decision and it’s been done.”
Jones said government ministers accepted the unanimous recommendation of the hiring committee.
Interim Liberal leader John Fraser said the matter needs to be investigated and said Ford must be open about the process that was used to hire Taverner.
“Not only should there not be a conflict, just the appearance of a conflict diminishes both of their offices so they have to address that,” he said.
Advocacy group Democracy Watch has also asked the integrity commissioner to probe the hiring process.
“Premier Ford taking part in any way in any step of Mr. Taverner’s appointment process raises concerns about violations of fundamental principles of democratic good government,” said Democracy Watch co-founder Duff Conacher.
Taverner, currently the unit commander of three divisions within the Toronto Police Service, is set to start in his new job on Dec. 17.
He takes over from Brad Blair, who held the commissioner’s post on an interim basis after the retirement of Vince Hawkes in November.
https://edge.ca/news/4728001/ford-hirin ... missioner/
https://globalnews.ca/news/4728001/ford ... missioner/
Critics have been calling for an investigation into the hiring of Ron Taverner as the next commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, but Ford said the selection process was a fair one.
When asked if he was involved in Taverner’s appointment, Ford was firm.
“Absolutely not,” he told reporters at the legislature. “It went through a transparent process.”
The premier’s comments came after his community safety minister said qualification requirements for the job were changed partway through the hiring process to broaden the pool of applicants for the post.
A report from online news website iPolitics said the original commissioner job posting required candidates to have a rank of deputy police chief or higher, or assistant commissioner or higher, in a major police service – a threshold 72-year-old Taverner, a superintendent with Toronto police, did not meet.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said it was shocking that the hiring process was changed and demanded an independent investigation into Taverner’s appointment.
“It’s all too convenient to have a good friend of the premier’s suddenly be able to qualify and then be appointed in a process that is obviously got a lot of challenges,” she said. “Where there’s smoke there’s fire. That’s why we’re having the integrity commissioner to have a look at what’s gone on here.”
Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones said the hiring firm in charge of the process to hire the new OPP commissioner made the decision to change the requirements. Taverner was a qualified candidate with decades of experience in policing, she added.
“We wanted to make sure that the best person to head our OPP was going to apply,” she said. “The hiring firm made that decision and it’s been done.”
Jones said government ministers accepted the unanimous recommendation of the hiring committee.
Interim Liberal leader John Fraser said the matter needs to be investigated and said Ford must be open about the process that was used to hire Taverner.
“Not only should there not be a conflict, just the appearance of a conflict diminishes both of their offices so they have to address that,” he said.
Advocacy group Democracy Watch has also asked the integrity commissioner to probe the hiring process.
“Premier Ford taking part in any way in any step of Mr. Taverner’s appointment process raises concerns about violations of fundamental principles of democratic good government,” said Democracy Watch co-founder Duff Conacher.
Taverner, currently the unit commander of three divisions within the Toronto Police Service, is set to start in his new job on Dec. 17.
He takes over from Brad Blair, who held the commissioner’s post on an interim basis after the retirement of Vince Hawkes in November.
https://edge.ca/news/4728001/ford-hirin ... missioner/
https://globalnews.ca/news/4728001/ford ... missioner/
Thomas, Administrator
Premier Doug Ford says he had 'zero influence' in hiring of family friend as OPP commissioner
Calls for an investigation intensified after the government said qualification requirements for the job were lowered partway through the hiring process
TORONTO — Doug Ford defended the appointment of a family friend as the new provincial police commissioner on Tuesday as critics accused the premier of offering key positions to his allies.
Ronald Taverner’s appointment as the next commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police has prompted demands for an investigation into his selection — calls that intensified after the government said qualification requirements for the job were lowered partway through the hiring process to broaden the pool of applicants.
Ford, whose family has been close with 72-year-old Taverner for years, shrugged off concerns around the hiring and said the process had been transparent.
“I told (the hiring panel) very clearly, I don’t want anything to do with this whatsoever,” he told reporters at the legislature.
Ford went on to say he had seen no problem with providing the final stamp of approval on Taverner’s appointment, which came after a unanimous decision from the hiring panel.
“I had zero influence,” he said of the process.” No matter who it was I would have accepted.”
The premier also said his office would not interfere with the operations of the OPP.
“I can’t influence and tell the police what to do,” he said. “It’s very simple.”
A report from online news website iPolitics said the original commissioner job posting required candidates to have a rank of deputy police chief or higher, or assistant commissioner or higher, in a major police service — a threshold Taverner, a superintendent with Toronto police, did not meet.
Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones said the hiring firm in charge of the process to find a new commissioner made the decision to lower those requirements. Taverner was a qualified candidate with decades of experience in policing, she added.
Members of the opposition said Ford’s final approval of Taverner’s appointment was problematic.
“What he did was completely inappropriate,” said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, whose party is demanding an independent investigation into Taverner’s appointment.
“I think it’s shocking that Mr. Ford doesn’t see that … It’s not the role of the premier to hand-pick his favourite friends and put them in positions of authority over our public services.”
Interim Liberal leader John Fraser said the matter needs to be investigated.
“Not only should there not be a conflict, just the appearance of a conflict diminishes both of their offices so they have to address that,” he said.
No premier should hire their friend as the OPP Commissioner
Green party Leader Mike Schreiner said Ford’s comments were a “significant admission” that he engaged in conflict of interest.
“No premier should hire their friend as the OPP Commissioner,” he said. “What happens if the OPP is asked to investigate something the premier, his office, or the PC government, has done and you have the premier’s friend heading up the OPP?”
Advocacy group Democracy Watch also asked the integrity commissioner to probe the hiring process.
“Premier Ford taking part in any way in any step of Mr. Taverner’s appointment process raises concerns about violations of fundamental principles of democratic good government,” said group co-founder Duff Conacher.
Taverner, currently the unit commander of three divisions within the Toronto Police Service, is set to start in his new job on Dec. 17.
He takes over from Brad Blair, who held the commissioner’s post on an interim basis after the retirement of Vince Hawkes in November.
https://lfpress.com/news/politics/opp-c ... 19d162f32d
TORONTO — Doug Ford defended the appointment of a family friend as the new provincial police commissioner on Tuesday as critics accused the premier of offering key positions to his allies.
Ronald Taverner’s appointment as the next commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police has prompted demands for an investigation into his selection — calls that intensified after the government said qualification requirements for the job were lowered partway through the hiring process to broaden the pool of applicants.
Ford, whose family has been close with 72-year-old Taverner for years, shrugged off concerns around the hiring and said the process had been transparent.
“I told (the hiring panel) very clearly, I don’t want anything to do with this whatsoever,” he told reporters at the legislature.
Ford went on to say he had seen no problem with providing the final stamp of approval on Taverner’s appointment, which came after a unanimous decision from the hiring panel.
“I had zero influence,” he said of the process.” No matter who it was I would have accepted.”
The premier also said his office would not interfere with the operations of the OPP.
“I can’t influence and tell the police what to do,” he said. “It’s very simple.”
A report from online news website iPolitics said the original commissioner job posting required candidates to have a rank of deputy police chief or higher, or assistant commissioner or higher, in a major police service — a threshold Taverner, a superintendent with Toronto police, did not meet.
Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones said the hiring firm in charge of the process to find a new commissioner made the decision to lower those requirements. Taverner was a qualified candidate with decades of experience in policing, she added.
Members of the opposition said Ford’s final approval of Taverner’s appointment was problematic.
“What he did was completely inappropriate,” said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, whose party is demanding an independent investigation into Taverner’s appointment.
“I think it’s shocking that Mr. Ford doesn’t see that … It’s not the role of the premier to hand-pick his favourite friends and put them in positions of authority over our public services.”
Interim Liberal leader John Fraser said the matter needs to be investigated.
“Not only should there not be a conflict, just the appearance of a conflict diminishes both of their offices so they have to address that,” he said.
No premier should hire their friend as the OPP Commissioner
Green party Leader Mike Schreiner said Ford’s comments were a “significant admission” that he engaged in conflict of interest.
“No premier should hire their friend as the OPP Commissioner,” he said. “What happens if the OPP is asked to investigate something the premier, his office, or the PC government, has done and you have the premier’s friend heading up the OPP?”
Advocacy group Democracy Watch also asked the integrity commissioner to probe the hiring process.
“Premier Ford taking part in any way in any step of Mr. Taverner’s appointment process raises concerns about violations of fundamental principles of democratic good government,” said group co-founder Duff Conacher.
Taverner, currently the unit commander of three divisions within the Toronto Police Service, is set to start in his new job on Dec. 17.
He takes over from Brad Blair, who held the commissioner’s post on an interim basis after the retirement of Vince Hawkes in November.
https://lfpress.com/news/politics/opp-c ... 19d162f32d
Thomas, Administrator
Qualifications lowered for OPP commissioner job, allowing Ford family friend to apply
TORONTO — When the top job with the Ontario Provincial Police was posted in October, Ron Taverner couldn’t apply, because his rank was too low.
Two days later, the job requirements were changed — paving the way for the Ford family friend to apply.
He got the job.
The postings were obtained exclusively by iPolitics late Monday evening.
The first job description was posted to the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police website in October and — according to a search of the document’s web history — was last modified on Oct. 22.
That posting required all applicants to hold, at minimum, the rank of deputy chief or assistant commissioner.
The candidate should have a “track record and demonstrated ability to provide executive leadership in a complex policing organization at the rank of Deputy Police Chief or higher, or Assistant Commissioner or higher in a major police service,” read the posting.
Taverner, a superintendent with the Toronto Police Service, sits two ranks below that threshold.
Two days later, a document entitled “OPP Commissioner Updated” appeared on the association’s site. The only difference between that posting and the first is that the minimum-rank requirements were removed.
The candidate should have a “track record and demonstrated ability to provide executive leadership in a complex policing organization,” read the new posting.
The change made Taverner eligible to apply for the job, which he was ultimately awarded on Nov. 29.
Sal Badali of Odgers Berndtson, the head-hunting agency that “supported” the commissioner-selection process, said “eliminating the rank requirement was done to broaden the potential pool of applicants.”
“It turned out that over half the pool of applicants were not at the Deputy Chief level,” Badali said over email.
The premier’s office refused to comment on the matter when reached by iPolitics, saying the selection process was managed by the “public service in its entirety.” The commissioner’s job is an Order-in-Council appointment, meaning it must be approved by provincial cabinet.
The premier’s office said requests for comment about Taverner’s appointment should be directed to the cabinet office, which reports to the premier. A request to explain who asked for the change in job requirements was not returned by deadline.
Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones said in Tuesday’s question period that the posting was changed to broaden the pool of prospective applicants.
“We wanted to make sure the best person to handle the position was going to apply,” she said, adding that the decision was made by the “hiring crew.”
Taverner’s appointment — announced late Thursday — immediately raised eyebrows.
“The fix was in from Day 1,” former OPP commissioner Chris Lewis told CP24 on Thursday.
“The decision’s the premier’s,” Lewis said. “There’s old relationships there; we all know it, and I think it was a travesty that this occurred.
“And I don’t want to show any disrespect to Ron Taverner. He got the job, good for him. I don’t think it’s good for the OPP, and I don’t think it was a good decision on the part of government whatsoever.”
The opposition seized on the appointment during question period on Monday, calling on the Progressive Conservatives to explain how Taverner was picked.
“The choice was made by an independent commissioner, and it was approved by cabinet on Thursday,” Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones said in response.
That wasn’t good enough for NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, who told reporters early on Monday she thinks Lewis’s concerns are legitimate.
“Come clean and outline — particularly and specifically — what the process was,” Horwath said. “Let’s figure out why the process left us with a candidate that leaves so many people scratching their heads.”
Taverner has served in the Toronto Police Service since 1967. As superintendent, he is the unit commander for three divisions that overlap with Ford’s home community of Etobicoke, Ont.
With his new job — which he will start on Dec. 17 — Taverner will leapfrog over the OPP ranks of chief superintendent and deputy commissioner to become commissioner.
Asked about the multiple promotions in rank early Monday, Jones said, “We are looking for someone that understands front-line officers, that understands the challenges that are there, and the hiring process saw that clearly.”
The promotion means Taverner will go from being responsible for more than 700 uniformed officers and civilian staff to approximately 8,000 uniformed officers and civilian employees.
Jones told reporters that 27 people applied for the job and 15 of them were interviewed.
In its Thursday press release, the government said Taverner’s appointment was unanimously recommended by a “selection committee comprised exclusively of members of the Ontario Public Service and supported by Odgers Berndtson.”
In spite of Ford and Taverner’s personal relationship, Jones said she can “absolutely” guarantee there will be a separation between the premier’s office and the commissioner.
However, Horwath told reporters she’s skeptical any separation will be maintained, because Ford’s office has previously tried to direct police operations, she said. In November, the Toronto Star reported that Ford’s chief of staff asked senior officials to ask police to raid illegal dispensaries on the day cannabis was legalized.
“We’ve already seen, as you know, a government that doesn’t understand that that’s not supposed to happen,” Horwath said.
The Ford government is already facing questions over its involvement in appointments in the electricity sector.
Ford’s chief of staff, Dean French, was accused of interfering with hiring at Ontario Power Generation last month. He reportedly asked the provincial Crown corporation to fire Alykhan Velshi, who held a key post in the office of former PC leader Patrick Brown, according to reporting by the Globe and Mail.
And last week, the Globe reported that the premier’s office is in a standoff with Hydro One over the selection of its next CEO.
https://ipolitics.ca/2018/12/04/qualifi ... -to-apply/
Two days later, the job requirements were changed — paving the way for the Ford family friend to apply.
He got the job.
The postings were obtained exclusively by iPolitics late Monday evening.
The first job description was posted to the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police website in October and — according to a search of the document’s web history — was last modified on Oct. 22.
That posting required all applicants to hold, at minimum, the rank of deputy chief or assistant commissioner.
The candidate should have a “track record and demonstrated ability to provide executive leadership in a complex policing organization at the rank of Deputy Police Chief or higher, or Assistant Commissioner or higher in a major police service,” read the posting.
Taverner, a superintendent with the Toronto Police Service, sits two ranks below that threshold.
Two days later, a document entitled “OPP Commissioner Updated” appeared on the association’s site. The only difference between that posting and the first is that the minimum-rank requirements were removed.
The candidate should have a “track record and demonstrated ability to provide executive leadership in a complex policing organization,” read the new posting.
The change made Taverner eligible to apply for the job, which he was ultimately awarded on Nov. 29.
Sal Badali of Odgers Berndtson, the head-hunting agency that “supported” the commissioner-selection process, said “eliminating the rank requirement was done to broaden the potential pool of applicants.”
“It turned out that over half the pool of applicants were not at the Deputy Chief level,” Badali said over email.
The premier’s office refused to comment on the matter when reached by iPolitics, saying the selection process was managed by the “public service in its entirety.” The commissioner’s job is an Order-in-Council appointment, meaning it must be approved by provincial cabinet.
The premier’s office said requests for comment about Taverner’s appointment should be directed to the cabinet office, which reports to the premier. A request to explain who asked for the change in job requirements was not returned by deadline.
Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones said in Tuesday’s question period that the posting was changed to broaden the pool of prospective applicants.
“We wanted to make sure the best person to handle the position was going to apply,” she said, adding that the decision was made by the “hiring crew.”
Taverner’s appointment — announced late Thursday — immediately raised eyebrows.
“The fix was in from Day 1,” former OPP commissioner Chris Lewis told CP24 on Thursday.
“The decision’s the premier’s,” Lewis said. “There’s old relationships there; we all know it, and I think it was a travesty that this occurred.
“And I don’t want to show any disrespect to Ron Taverner. He got the job, good for him. I don’t think it’s good for the OPP, and I don’t think it was a good decision on the part of government whatsoever.”
The opposition seized on the appointment during question period on Monday, calling on the Progressive Conservatives to explain how Taverner was picked.
“The choice was made by an independent commissioner, and it was approved by cabinet on Thursday,” Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones said in response.
That wasn’t good enough for NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, who told reporters early on Monday she thinks Lewis’s concerns are legitimate.
“Come clean and outline — particularly and specifically — what the process was,” Horwath said. “Let’s figure out why the process left us with a candidate that leaves so many people scratching their heads.”
Taverner has served in the Toronto Police Service since 1967. As superintendent, he is the unit commander for three divisions that overlap with Ford’s home community of Etobicoke, Ont.
With his new job — which he will start on Dec. 17 — Taverner will leapfrog over the OPP ranks of chief superintendent and deputy commissioner to become commissioner.
Asked about the multiple promotions in rank early Monday, Jones said, “We are looking for someone that understands front-line officers, that understands the challenges that are there, and the hiring process saw that clearly.”
The promotion means Taverner will go from being responsible for more than 700 uniformed officers and civilian staff to approximately 8,000 uniformed officers and civilian employees.
Jones told reporters that 27 people applied for the job and 15 of them were interviewed.
In its Thursday press release, the government said Taverner’s appointment was unanimously recommended by a “selection committee comprised exclusively of members of the Ontario Public Service and supported by Odgers Berndtson.”
In spite of Ford and Taverner’s personal relationship, Jones said she can “absolutely” guarantee there will be a separation between the premier’s office and the commissioner.
However, Horwath told reporters she’s skeptical any separation will be maintained, because Ford’s office has previously tried to direct police operations, she said. In November, the Toronto Star reported that Ford’s chief of staff asked senior officials to ask police to raid illegal dispensaries on the day cannabis was legalized.
“We’ve already seen, as you know, a government that doesn’t understand that that’s not supposed to happen,” Horwath said.
The Ford government is already facing questions over its involvement in appointments in the electricity sector.
Ford’s chief of staff, Dean French, was accused of interfering with hiring at Ontario Power Generation last month. He reportedly asked the provincial Crown corporation to fire Alykhan Velshi, who held a key post in the office of former PC leader Patrick Brown, according to reporting by the Globe and Mail.
And last week, the Globe reported that the premier’s office is in a standoff with Hydro One over the selection of its next CEO.
https://ipolitics.ca/2018/12/04/qualifi ... -to-apply/
Thomas, Administrator
Questions Raised Over Hiring Of New OPP Boss
Doug Ford says he was 'hands off' when it came to the appointment of a family friend as the new OPP commissioner.
There are calls for an investigation into the selection process which resulted in the hiring of 72 year old Ronald Taverner.
The government has admitted qualifications for the job were lowered to attract a larger pool of applicants.
Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones said the hiring firm in charge of the process to find a new commissioner made the decision to lower the requirements.
Taverner is a unit commander with Toronto Police and is to start his new job December 17th.
http://www.977maxfm.ca/news_item.php?NewsID=106324
There are calls for an investigation into the selection process which resulted in the hiring of 72 year old Ronald Taverner.
The government has admitted qualifications for the job were lowered to attract a larger pool of applicants.
Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones said the hiring firm in charge of the process to find a new commissioner made the decision to lower the requirements.
Taverner is a unit commander with Toronto Police and is to start his new job December 17th.
http://www.977maxfm.ca/news_item.php?NewsID=106324
Thomas, Administrator
Doug Ford says he wasn't involved in hiring of family friend as OPP commissioner
TORONTO - Doug Ford defended the appointment of a family friend as the new provincial police commissioner on Tuesday as critics accused the premier of offering key positions to his allies.
Ronald Taverner's appointment as the next commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police has prompted demands for an investigation into his selection — calls that intensified after the government said qualification requirements for the job were lowered partway through the hiring process to broaden the pool of applicants.
Ford, whose family has been close with 72-year-old Taverner for years, shrugged off concerns around the hiring and said the process had been transparent.
"I told (the hiring panel) very clearly, I don't want anything to do with this whatsoever," he told reporters at the legislature.
Ford went on to say he had seen no problem with providing the final stamp of approval on Taverner's appointment, which came after a unanimous decision from the hiring panel.
"I had zero influence," he said of the process." No matter who it was I would have accepted."
The premier also said his office would not interfere with the operations of the OPP.
"I can't influence and tell the police what to do," he said. "It's very simple."
A report from online news website iPolitics said the original commissioner job posting required candidates to have a rank of deputy police chief or higher, or assistant commissioner or higher, in a major police service — a threshold Taverner, a superintendent with Toronto police, did not meet.
Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones said the hiring firm in charge of the process to find a new commissioner made the decision to lower those requirements. Taverner was a qualified candidate with decades of experience in policing, she added.
Members of the opposition said Ford's final approval of Taverner's appointment was problematic.
"What he did was completely inappropriate," said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, whose party is demanding an independent investigation into Taverner's appointment.
"I think it's shocking that Mr. Ford doesn't see that ... It's not the role of the premier to hand-pick his favourite friends and put them in positions of authority over our public services."
Interim Liberal leader John Fraser said the matter needs to be investigated.
"Not only should there not be a conflict, just the appearance of a conflict diminishes both of their offices so they have to address that," he said.
Green party Leader Mike Schreiner said Ford's comments were a "significant admission" that he engaged in conflict of interest.
"No premier should hire their friend as the OPP Commissioner," he said. "What happens if the OPP is asked to investigate something the premier, his office, or the PC government, has done and you have the premier's friend heading up the OPP?"
Advocacy group Democracy Watch also asked the integrity commissioner to probe the hiring process.
"Premier Ford taking part in any way in any step of Mr. Taverner's appointment process raises concerns about violations of fundamental principles of democratic good government," said group co-founder Duff Conacher.
Taverner, currently the unit commander of three divisions within the Toronto Police Service, is set to start in his new job on Dec. 17.
He takes over from Brad Blair, who held the commissioner's post on an interim basis after the retirement of Vince Hawkes in November.
http://www.pentictonherald.ca/news/nati ... 6b972.html
Ronald Taverner's appointment as the next commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police has prompted demands for an investigation into his selection — calls that intensified after the government said qualification requirements for the job were lowered partway through the hiring process to broaden the pool of applicants.
Ford, whose family has been close with 72-year-old Taverner for years, shrugged off concerns around the hiring and said the process had been transparent.
"I told (the hiring panel) very clearly, I don't want anything to do with this whatsoever," he told reporters at the legislature.
Ford went on to say he had seen no problem with providing the final stamp of approval on Taverner's appointment, which came after a unanimous decision from the hiring panel.
"I had zero influence," he said of the process." No matter who it was I would have accepted."
The premier also said his office would not interfere with the operations of the OPP.
"I can't influence and tell the police what to do," he said. "It's very simple."
A report from online news website iPolitics said the original commissioner job posting required candidates to have a rank of deputy police chief or higher, or assistant commissioner or higher, in a major police service — a threshold Taverner, a superintendent with Toronto police, did not meet.
Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones said the hiring firm in charge of the process to find a new commissioner made the decision to lower those requirements. Taverner was a qualified candidate with decades of experience in policing, she added.
Members of the opposition said Ford's final approval of Taverner's appointment was problematic.
"What he did was completely inappropriate," said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, whose party is demanding an independent investigation into Taverner's appointment.
"I think it's shocking that Mr. Ford doesn't see that ... It's not the role of the premier to hand-pick his favourite friends and put them in positions of authority over our public services."
Interim Liberal leader John Fraser said the matter needs to be investigated.
"Not only should there not be a conflict, just the appearance of a conflict diminishes both of their offices so they have to address that," he said.
Green party Leader Mike Schreiner said Ford's comments were a "significant admission" that he engaged in conflict of interest.
"No premier should hire their friend as the OPP Commissioner," he said. "What happens if the OPP is asked to investigate something the premier, his office, or the PC government, has done and you have the premier's friend heading up the OPP?"
Advocacy group Democracy Watch also asked the integrity commissioner to probe the hiring process.
"Premier Ford taking part in any way in any step of Mr. Taverner's appointment process raises concerns about violations of fundamental principles of democratic good government," said group co-founder Duff Conacher.
Taverner, currently the unit commander of three divisions within the Toronto Police Service, is set to start in his new job on Dec. 17.
He takes over from Brad Blair, who held the commissioner's post on an interim basis after the retirement of Vince Hawkes in November.
http://www.pentictonherald.ca/news/nati ... 6b972.html
Thomas, Administrator
Scott Thompson: Doug Ford needs to display transparency more than most
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is coming under fire because the person who will be the next commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police is a family friend.
The other red flag drawing attention to the hiring is the fact that the minimum requirements for the position were lowered to expand the pool of candidates, also allowing the applicant to apply.
Ron Taverner, formerly a superintendent with the Toronto Police Service and a veteran of 51 years, will become commissioner of the OPP on Dec. 17.
The premier said he had nothing to do with the process, which he noted was open, transparent and the result of the hiring committee’s unanimous decision.
The opposition, though, says those red flags should still be investigated — where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
Any indication of preferential treatment or personal agendas is unacceptable at any level of government.
If there is any room for speculation, there had better be room for an explanation.
The lowering of qualification criteria and Taverner being a family friend of Ford’s will certainly draw opposition attention, and the fact it has warrants a closer look from all of us.
However, that does not mean there is any wrongdoing. Find me a politician who doesn’t know someone everywhere.
https://globalnews.ca/news/4730058/doug ... missioner/
The other red flag drawing attention to the hiring is the fact that the minimum requirements for the position were lowered to expand the pool of candidates, also allowing the applicant to apply.
Ron Taverner, formerly a superintendent with the Toronto Police Service and a veteran of 51 years, will become commissioner of the OPP on Dec. 17.
The premier said he had nothing to do with the process, which he noted was open, transparent and the result of the hiring committee’s unanimous decision.
The opposition, though, says those red flags should still be investigated — where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
Any indication of preferential treatment or personal agendas is unacceptable at any level of government.
If there is any room for speculation, there had better be room for an explanation.
The lowering of qualification criteria and Taverner being a family friend of Ford’s will certainly draw opposition attention, and the fact it has warrants a closer look from all of us.
However, that does not mean there is any wrongdoing. Find me a politician who doesn’t know someone everywhere.
https://globalnews.ca/news/4730058/doug ... missioner/
Thomas, Administrator
Doug Ford says he didn’t need to recuse himself
Doug Ford says he didn’t need to recuse himself from hiring friend Ron Taverner as OPP chief
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he didn’t need to recuse himself from a cabinet meeting that appointed a Ford family friend to lead the province’s police force because the hiring was recommended by an independent panel.
His defence came amid new revelations about changes to the job posting that allowed Ron Taverner to apply for the position and confirmation that his former boss was part of the three-person hiring committee.
Under questioning from reporters on Tuesday, Mr. Ford defended the appointment of Superintendent Taverner, a veteran Toronto police commander from the Ford family’s power base of Etobicoke in Toronto’s west end, as the next commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police.
While Mr. Ford said he had “absolutely” no involvement in choosing Supt. Taverner, 72, for the OPP position, he said the long-time police officer is the right person for the job.
“This is a man that has given 50 years of his life to policing and the accolades across the province that I’ve seen are just overwhelming,” Mr. Ford said.
Mr. Ford said Supt. Taverner was chosen by a three-member independent panel comprised of executive search firm Ogders Berndtson; cabinet secretary Steve Orsini; and Mario Di Tommaso, deputy minister of community safety.
Mr. Di Tommaso is a former staff superintendent at the Toronto Police Service – and Supt. Taverner’s former boss. At the time of Mr. Di Tommaso’s appointment by the Ford government in October, Supt. Taverner publicly applauded the move as an inspired choice.
When asked if Mr. Di Tommaso’s inclusion on the panel could be considered a conflict, Mr. Ford said: “Absolutely not. You have to look at his qualifications. If Ron Taverner wasn’t qualified, he wouldn’t be there. But he has the utmost respect of police officers not only just across Ontario, but across the country."
Mr. Ford said he didn’t recuse himself from the process because the panel made its unanimous decision to choose Supt. Taverner. The Premier said he has the final sign off “on everything in this province.”
“I had zero influence and no matter who it was, I would have accepted,” Mr. Ford said. “That was the best choice this committee could have ever made.”
Mr. Ford added that he’s friends with “thousands of people” and said there would be a separation between his office and the OPP. “I can’t influence and tell the police what to do,” he said.
Neither Supt. Taverner nor Mr. Di Tommaso responded to requests for comment on Tuesday. A spokesman for the cabinet office said the recruitment of the OPP commissioner was made through an open competition and the decision to recommend Mr. Taverner was unanimous.
“There was no political involvement in the selection process,” cabinet spokesman Craig Sumi said.
The Premier has been under fire from the opposition for his government’s decision last week to appoint Supt. Taverner, a mid-level commanding officer, to the country’s second-largest police force. On Tuesday, iPolitics revealed that the qualifications for the OPP job were changed on Oct. 24, two days after it was initially posted, removing requirements that applicants hold the rank of deputy chief or assistant commissioner, which would have excluded Supt. Taverner from applying.
Mr. Ford said it was the search firm, not him, that asked for the qualifications to be broadened. A spokeswoman for Odgers Berndtson declined to comment due to confidentiality.
Both the NDP and Liberals said they are asking the province’s integrity commissioner to investigate the appointment. A spokeswoman for the commissioner’s office said it received an unspecified request on Tuesday to conduct an investigation, but Commissioner David Wake cannot investigate a complaint until a formal process is followed.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said it does not appear that Supt. Taverner was appointed to the position solely on merit.
“I was surprised to hear that the Premier doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with his interfering in the appointment of [Mr. Taverner],” she said. “It really looks like the process was put together to favour Mr. Taverner, and I think that’s inappropriate."
Interim Liberal leader John Fraser said “it’s very reasonable” to suspect there was political interference in the appointment.
“Reasonable people would say, ‘Something’s fishy,’ ” he said.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/ ... riend-ron/
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he didn’t need to recuse himself from a cabinet meeting that appointed a Ford family friend to lead the province’s police force because the hiring was recommended by an independent panel.
His defence came amid new revelations about changes to the job posting that allowed Ron Taverner to apply for the position and confirmation that his former boss was part of the three-person hiring committee.
Under questioning from reporters on Tuesday, Mr. Ford defended the appointment of Superintendent Taverner, a veteran Toronto police commander from the Ford family’s power base of Etobicoke in Toronto’s west end, as the next commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police.
While Mr. Ford said he had “absolutely” no involvement in choosing Supt. Taverner, 72, for the OPP position, he said the long-time police officer is the right person for the job.
“This is a man that has given 50 years of his life to policing and the accolades across the province that I’ve seen are just overwhelming,” Mr. Ford said.
Mr. Ford said Supt. Taverner was chosen by a three-member independent panel comprised of executive search firm Ogders Berndtson; cabinet secretary Steve Orsini; and Mario Di Tommaso, deputy minister of community safety.
Mr. Di Tommaso is a former staff superintendent at the Toronto Police Service – and Supt. Taverner’s former boss. At the time of Mr. Di Tommaso’s appointment by the Ford government in October, Supt. Taverner publicly applauded the move as an inspired choice.
When asked if Mr. Di Tommaso’s inclusion on the panel could be considered a conflict, Mr. Ford said: “Absolutely not. You have to look at his qualifications. If Ron Taverner wasn’t qualified, he wouldn’t be there. But he has the utmost respect of police officers not only just across Ontario, but across the country."
Mr. Ford said he didn’t recuse himself from the process because the panel made its unanimous decision to choose Supt. Taverner. The Premier said he has the final sign off “on everything in this province.”
“I had zero influence and no matter who it was, I would have accepted,” Mr. Ford said. “That was the best choice this committee could have ever made.”
Mr. Ford added that he’s friends with “thousands of people” and said there would be a separation between his office and the OPP. “I can’t influence and tell the police what to do,” he said.
Neither Supt. Taverner nor Mr. Di Tommaso responded to requests for comment on Tuesday. A spokesman for the cabinet office said the recruitment of the OPP commissioner was made through an open competition and the decision to recommend Mr. Taverner was unanimous.
“There was no political involvement in the selection process,” cabinet spokesman Craig Sumi said.
The Premier has been under fire from the opposition for his government’s decision last week to appoint Supt. Taverner, a mid-level commanding officer, to the country’s second-largest police force. On Tuesday, iPolitics revealed that the qualifications for the OPP job were changed on Oct. 24, two days after it was initially posted, removing requirements that applicants hold the rank of deputy chief or assistant commissioner, which would have excluded Supt. Taverner from applying.
Mr. Ford said it was the search firm, not him, that asked for the qualifications to be broadened. A spokeswoman for Odgers Berndtson declined to comment due to confidentiality.
Both the NDP and Liberals said they are asking the province’s integrity commissioner to investigate the appointment. A spokeswoman for the commissioner’s office said it received an unspecified request on Tuesday to conduct an investigation, but Commissioner David Wake cannot investigate a complaint until a formal process is followed.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said it does not appear that Supt. Taverner was appointed to the position solely on merit.
“I was surprised to hear that the Premier doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with his interfering in the appointment of [Mr. Taverner],” she said. “It really looks like the process was put together to favour Mr. Taverner, and I think that’s inappropriate."
Interim Liberal leader John Fraser said “it’s very reasonable” to suspect there was political interference in the appointment.
“Reasonable people would say, ‘Something’s fishy,’ ” he said.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/ ... riend-ron/
Thomas, Administrator
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests