The police chief in Chatham-Kent welcomes a review looking into police corruption in Ontario.
The policing integrity and corruption review was launched after last week’s arrests of seven Toronto police officers accused of corruption linked to violent organized crime.
Chatham-Kent (CK) Police Chief Kirk Earley told CK News Today that CK police have already begun preparing the required documentation and will "fully participate" in the review.
Chief Earley said CK police have always maintained appropriate oversight and consistent evaluation with robust systems, policies, and oversight mechanisms in place to make the service better.
He noted the service "remains steadfast" in its responsibility to ensure that corruption never has an opportunity to take root, adding the review will provide an additional layer of accountability.
The chief also said that the review is an opportunity to demonstrate the high level of integrity that his officers display every day, and to reaffirm their commitment to ensuring the citizens of Chatham-Kent continue to have confidence in their police service.
He said he recognizes that the process will strengthen accountability, reinforce integrity, and enhance public trust in policing.
"Public trust is fragile and when something like this occurs, it understandably raises questions for the public. The reputational impact is shared by us all, integrity is at the core of policing, trust is built slowly and lost quickly," said the chief.
The review will examine key areas across all Ontario police services, including supervision practices, member screening and vetting, database access controls, substance abuse, member wellness, and evidence management procedures.
“We have been clear about our direction as an organization. We are committed to building trust through transparency, fair practices, and a culture where accountability is embraced, not avoided. Our community has high expectations and we welcome that.” Chief Earley said. “The Chatham-Kent Police Service is committed to meeting those expectations every day through professionalism, ethical conduct, and a constant respect for the trust our community places in us. Our shared goal is to provide the highest level of service to the people of Chatham-Kent.”
