The plot thickens around a 911 call to attend the Windsor police chief's house last fall.
The Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) said the November 12, 2018 call is now part of an overall investigation into the Windsor Police Services Board and the administration of the Windsor Police Service.
"Since the OCPC’s investigation commenced, an incident dated November 12, 2018, involving a 911 call to attend Chief Al Frederick’s house was brought to the OCPC’s attention," wrote the OCPC in an email to Blackburn News on Thursday. "The OCPC has decided to include matters surrounding this incident as part of its investigation."
The OCPC, an independent police oversight agency, started investigating the Windsor Police Service last year over multiple complaints made by officers of possible unfair promotion practices, nepotism in hiring, interference in legal proceedings, and a poisoned work environment. The investigation is also looking into whether there are fair and transparent processes to address workplace harassment and human rights complaints.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, who is also the police services board chair, previously said the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated the November 12 call at Chief Frederick's house and concluded that all personnel involved responded in "an appropriate, proper and transparent manner and followed established policies." The OPP also deemed the call was not of a criminal nature, however, the nature of the call has not been made public.
Dilkens said he was contacted by Deputy Chief Brad Hill on November 12, 2018 about a call for service at the chief's house and had to go outside the Windsor Police Service to find a higher ranking officer to investigate. However, provincial police were not notified until nine days later.
The mayor said the OPP submitted its report to the Windsor Police Services Board on January 9 but nothing was publicly reported at the board meeting January 23.
"As the investigation is ongoing, the OCPC will not be commenting on the specifics of this matter," said the OCPC.
The chief and the Windsor Police Services Board have previously advised the OCPC that they intend to fully co-operate with the investigation.
- With files from Mark Brown & Kirk Dickinson
