Latest news with #JasonBellaire
CBC
03-07-2025
- CBC
Windsor police chief's discipline for racist remarks 'doesn't amount to anything': Black Scholars Institute
WARNING: This story contains racially offensive language. The Windsor Police Service Board is requiring Chief Jason Bellaire to take equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) training after an investigation found he made racist remarks, CBC News has learned. A source with direct knowledge of the discipline says Bellaire's training must be completed by Dec. 31, even though he's set to retire in November, roughly two years before his five-year contract ends. "It doesn't really amount to anything," said Camisha Sibblis, director of the Black Scholars Institute at the University of Windsor. "It sounds like there really isn't any accountability." In March, CBC News reported in an exclusive that an internal investigation substantiated allegations Bellaire made racist remarks to a Black officer at work. What work did the police services board put into this in order to come up with such a light and really ineffective discipline? - Kent Rice, Windsor Police Association Jo-Anne Gignac, police board chair and city councillor, has not responded to repeated requests for comment about the Bellaire disciplinary decision and how it was reached. Sibblis, also a University of Windsor assistant professor of sociology and criminology, said the Bellaire case is troubling. "What it says to me is that victims are not important and they're certainly not as important as protecting the reputation and status of police, even through their wrongdoing. "And when we have that kind of value system, we're all in trouble." Bellaire has not publicly addressed his comments and the police board has also been silent since CBC News published that the allegations against the chief were substantiated by an internal investigation. The precise remarks made by Bellaire aren't clear. However, Insp. Ed Armstrong, who filed a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) in March 2024, said Bellaire made comments to him about Black people and bananas, told him he preferred "whiter" things and suggested there is telepathic communication among Black people. CBC News recently emailed Bellaire and asked if he'd like to say anything to his officers and the broader community about his comments. "As this complaint is currently before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, we respectfully cannot comment at this time," said Gary Francoeur, director of corporate communications at Windsor police. Windsor police previously asked the HRTO to dismiss the application so it could be dealt with internally. That request was not successful. Union head 'shocked, dismayed and upset' Windsor Police Association head Kent Rice said the disciplinary action against the chief illustrates what his members have complained about for years — a two-tiered disciplinary system. "What work did the police services board put into this in order to come up with such a light and really ineffective discipline?" asked Rice. After learning of the disciplinary action, Rice said he became "shocked, dismayed and upset." "There needs to be a certain level of accountability put in place and when it falls extremely short, significantly short of what people's expectations are, it's upsetting." Rice predicts if a lower-ranking officer made racist remarks to a co-worker or a member of the community, that individual would be hit with a "severe demotion." To further show what Rice describes as disparity at the Windsor police, an officer who didn't fully stop at a red light while responding to a call was docked six hours of pay. "Then you see something like this [Bellaire's discipline] and you're like, 'Where do the scales align?' They just don't," said Rice. The Police Association of Ontario (PAO) told CBC News that the disciplinary action against Bellaire is insufficient and disappointing. "The response by the Windsor Police Services Board (sic) fails to reflect the gravity of the behaviour and does little to bolster public trust in the police service. Discriminatory remarks that undermine the integrity of policing demand more decisive and immediate action," said Mark Baxter, president of the PAO. Timeline of how events unfolded: March, 2024: Insp. Ed Armstrong files complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) about Bellaire's racist comments. Aug. 21, 2024: CBC News publishes a story about the HRTO complaint. Jan. 16, 2025: Internal police summary stating that the investigation had been completed. Jan. 16: Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens steps aside as police board chair. Feb. 5, 2025: Bellaire announces his unexpected retirement as chief less than halfway through his five-year contract. March 17, 2025: CBC News publishes a story about findings of the internal investigation. In a summary of the internal investigation obtained by CBC News, it stated "the investigator found that the comment(s) were made in what [Bellaire] believed to be a 'safe space' based on his existing relationship with [Armstrong] and do not amount to a poisoned work environment." "Saying things from your position of comfort and privilege, and assuming others will just simply roll with it is offensive, is a misuse of your power," said Sibblis. Sibblis said Bellaire needs to take responsibility for what he said, and there also "needs to be admonishment and some sort of admission into how inappropriate it was." Call for Bellaire's demotion Armstrong filed his human rights complaint roughly a month after he pleaded guilty under the Police Services Act for making inappropriate comments to female employees dating back to 2005. Armstrong was demoted for one year to staff sergeant, after which he automatically regained his rank of inspector. Since Armstrong's comments to women resulted in a one-year demotion, Sibblis said, Bellaire should also be demoted before retiring, as his comments were "completely inappropriate" and "harmful to the entire department. "It was not only harmful to his police service, but to the Windsor community," said Sibblis. "His behaviour condones other derogatory remarks, and I think the tolerance to it and the attempt to justify it by saying it's a safe space ... means that victims within the police services, and victims across Windsor who the police services is supposed to protect, will not have access to justice going forward." She also said it sends a message to the Black community that they are "undervalued members of society, that people can say, and do, anything to them without proper recourse." For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.
CTV News
17-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Windsor Police Service holds fundraising BBQ to support Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation
Windsor Police Service (WPS) headquarters in downtown Windsor was the site for a BBQ - all for a great cause. Officers, cadets and staff came out to grill hot dogs during the lunch hour Tuesday afternoon to raise funds to support the Windsor cancer centre foundation and their 'Show Us Your Brave' campaign. One hundred percent of money raised stays local and has helped to purchase vital equipment, fund cancer research, treatment and patient initiatives that aren't otherwise funded by the province of Ontario. Monetary donations have further helped more patients receive treatment locally, reducing the need to travel and the associated cost. 061725 - Windsor Windsor Police hold BBQ to fundraise for Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation. WPS Chief Jason Bellaire welcomed the ongoing partnership with the foundation and the generosity of the community at-large. 'You know, we're always happy to get an email or a phone call to have our members participate in the fundraising - we're happy to be included,' said Chief Bellaire. 'If there's one thing I say about being a member of the Windsor Police Service at an executive level, it's to the degree to which the community groups have included their police service, in participating in good causes - and that really does mean a lot to us.' Community support through events like this one haves raised over $30 million dollars to date for the foundation. Learn more about the campaign here, and donate here.
CBC
17-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Windsor officials question cost, purpose of new police helicopter from province
Ontario budget promises new police helicopter and more skilled tradespeople for Windsor-Essex 3 hours ago Duration 2:28 Social Sharing This week's news that the provincial government will spend millions of dollars to provide Windsor police with a new helicopter came as a surprise to some officials, leaving them searching for answers about its purpose and cost. On Thursday, the Ontario government revealed its annual budget, which included $57 million for two new helicopters — one for the Windsor Police Service and another for police in Niagara. Premier Doug Ford's government said the two Airbus H-135 helicopters will support both cities "with increased patrols, security and enforcement at key entry points at the U.S. border." Windsor's police chief praised the province's announcement, saying in a statement that he was "grateful" for the government's "ongoing commitment" to community safety. "Investments in resources that contribute to the safety of our municipality, province, and country are timely and appropriate as we work collaboratively to protect our quality of life in a border community," chief Jason Bellaire said. But others said the news was unexpected and left them with a host of questions. "The cost of operating a helicopter is fairly steep, I understand," said Coun. Jo-Anne Gignac, chair of the Windsor Police Services Board. "I think for the people of Windsor to have to assume the cost of operating a helicopter is naturally concerning." The addition of a helicopter to Windsor police's arsenal comes amid a U.S. trade war, which President Donald Trump has justified, in part, by accusing Canada of doing too little to stem the flow of migrants and fentanyl at the northern border — despite data suggesting otherwise. "I understand the thinking behind the premier wanting to secure the borders within Ontario as we continue the trade tariff talks," Gignac said. "However, beyond the capital purchase, there's an operational cost." The province has not yet said how the $57 million will be divided between the two regions, how much it intends to spend on the aircraft themselves — which are listed online for $5 to $6 million new — or if a portion of the funds will cover associated costs. "You have to have people that are trained to fly the helicopter," Gignac said. "You have to have the funding to fuel it and operate it — I don't know what the requirements would even be for operation. Like, are we talking 12 hours a day or are we — there are just so many things [...] that we don't have information on." Gignac also said she hasn't received "any information on what it would mean for the municipal police force to undertake operation of a helicopter" to patrol the border — typically a federal responsibility. Const. Kent Rice, president of the Windsor Police Association, said he was "quite shocked" by Thursday's news, having only heard a rumour roughly one year ago that the city might get a helicopter. Rice, who leads the union representing the force's officers, said he supports any new resources to help officers keep the community safe. But he also said he has questions about the high operational and maintenance costs, as well as how a border mandate would work, considering the RCMP in Windsor already has helicopters patrolling the river. "I've got concerns if it would be used for federal purposes since it's a provincial budget, and it's coming from the provincial government," he said. "But you know, these are all questions that need to be answered." Asked on Thursday why Ontario is spending millions on helicopters to use along the U.S. border when it's a federal responsibility, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy referred to the province's Operation Deterrence. "We want to give all the tools available to our first responders, to our law enforcement, so they have the tools necessary to get all the bad actors," he told CBC News in an interview on budget day. He also said the helicopters would be managed by the OPP, but didn't elaborate. The Windsor Police Service did not answer a question about how its helicopter would be different from those already used by the RCMP. A spokesperson for the RCMP did not respond to an interview request on Friday. The Ontario budget said the latest helicopter investment adds to the government's announcement last year that it would spend $134 million on five police helicopters for Ottawa and the Toronto region. "Equipped with the latest technology, the helicopters will help protect Ontario's borders and keep highways and roadways safe from violent carjackings, auto theft, street racing and impaired driving," the budget says. Price said he doesn't know yet exactly how the helicopter in Windsor will be used, but said it could be a "hugely beneficial" tool. "This opportunity is something Windsor on its own would never have been able to really afford or purchase," he said. Rice said the aircraft could be helpful for patrolling the roadways, locating ice fishers in distress, or searching for missing persons. "I think about all these incidents where, you know, we couldn't get to them in time or if we had a helicopter, it could have been successful, right?" he said. He said the important thing is that the helicopter actually gets used, though. "If you're going to have a resource like that, then you need to use it," he said. "It's not going to do us any good if it stays in a hangar and it's just an ornamental piece of equipment."
