Officials representing London police officers and the police services board are voicing concerns over what they say is a lack of respect police are getting from city council.
At the London Police Services Board meeting on Thursday, outgoing board chair Paul Paolatto said there has been a "pattern of disrespect" toward police in the city.
"People who put their lives on the line deserve and demand respect," said an emotional Paolatto. "This service deserves better."
Paolatto's comments came after he noted council had yet to respond to a letter he sent to city hall over 60 days ago. The letter centred around what he called a “concerning level of indifference" the board received from the city's chief administrative officer during last year's budget negotiations.
He went on to tell the board, when an officer was injured in a shooting in December, only two people from the city called Chief John Pare.
Paolatto's comments were quickly echoed by London Police Association President Rick Robson, who has had a similar experience dealing with council.
Last fall, Robson sent a letter to every city councillor and Mayor Matt Brown, requesting an independent oversight agency investigate the police budget dispute. But, to date only four councillors have responded.
"Our letter went out to councillors in November and to have only four respond is unacceptable," said Robson.
Robson pointed out people seem to have an easier time getting councillors to respond over Twitter to minor nuisances in the city.
"I've seen many people raise concerns about grass, raise concerns about snow removal, raise concerns about 'where does my Christmas tree go' and they get an immediate response. I'm not talking about grass. I am talking about millions of taxpayers' dollars and a process that was, for some reason, not followed through for months on end," said Robson. "It's unfortunate that some councillors deem an issue about length of grass in a field as something that should be met with an immediate response. But when the police services board or the London Police Association send you a letter and say, 'This is a very important issue, how do you suggest it be resolved,' and you get nothing."
After two months of being largely ignored, Robson is now seeking delegate status to speak before councillors on January 30. He is asking the probe be conducted by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC). Two of the councillors who did respond to Robson have indicated they will not support an OCPC investigation.
A motion by the police services board also requesting an investigation into why a potential budget solution worked out in February never made it to city council was taken off the table at Thursday's meeting.
Following a nine-month budget dispute, council approved the $2.7-million agreement with police in November, avoiding a hearing with the Ontario Civilian Police Commission. According to Paolatto, a proposed agreement reached in February would have cost taxpayers more than $1-million less than that.
