The sudden death of a budding police officer has struck nerves and pulled on the heartstrings of many across the province, including the head of London's police union.
Haldimand County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Cst. Grzegorz (Greg) Pierzchala had just learned his probationary period with the force had ended when he was shot and killed while investigating a vehicle in a ditch near the small community of Hagersville Tuesday afternoon. Two people, one of whom is said to have a history of violent, gun-related crimes, were arrested after a brief manhunt. The pair have since been charged with first-degree murder.
Now many are raising questions as to why one of the two accused, 25-year-old Randall McKenzie of Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, was allowed out on bail after being charged in 2021 with several firearms-related offences and assaulting a peace officer. Those charges against McKenzie come several years after he was reportedly dealt a lifetime firearms ban sometime in 2018.
Rick Robson, the Executive Director of the London Police Association took to social media on Thursday, calling on the community and local members of provincial and federal parliament to discuss options to invoke change on bail requirements for those who are dealt charges that may include carrying a loaded firearm.
"The murder of police has to stop. It is clear that there is a real problem in the way courts handle offences involving persons with loaded handguns in this country," Robson wrote on Twitter. He added that gun crime in Canadian cities continues to be an issue and accused the court systems and current laws of not being serious enough when it comes to doling out penalties for firearms-related offences.
"Why do we tolerate this? There is absolutely no reason to carry a loaded handgun other than the potential to kill," Robson wrote in a separate tweet.
As of December 29, London police reported on at least five separate investigations involving firearms throughout the month.
"This has to stop. There should be no bail for anyone carrying a loaded handgun, period," said Robson, who represents over 800 members of the London Police Service. "People, the courts, governments have to be compelled to change by taking a common position and banding together," he added, encouraging Londoners to reach out to local representatives.
Robson's comments echo similar statements made Wednesday by the head of the OPP.
"I'm outraged by the fact that McKenzie was out on bail and was provided the opportunity to take the life of an innocent officer," said OPP Commissioner Thomas Corrique while addressing the media Wednesday night.
Both McKenzie and 30-year-old Brandi Stewart-Sperry of Hamilton remain in police custody and are scheduled to appear in a Cayuga courtroom again in January.
A procession to escort the body of Pierzchala back to his hometown of Barrie will be held on Friday. It will leave from the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto at 9 a.m. and travel northbound on Highway 400 to Barrie.
"Members of the public are invited join First Responders in showing their respects from one of the many overpasses along the highway," OPP said in a statement.
People planning on participating are asked not to stop on the highway to exit their vehicle as that can pose a serious safety concern.
https://twitter.com/RickRobsonLPA/status/1608458567773835271
