Latest news with #WindsorPoliceService
CTV News
3 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Suspect in $130k fraud incident wanted: WPS
The Windsor Police Service is looking to identify a suspect wanted in a $130,000 fraud incident. On May 1, police said the suspect went into the currency exchange in the 3200 block of Dougall Avenue. They allegedly used a fraudulent Canadian passport to get $130,000 in U.S. cash. The suspect is described as a white woman, around 35 to 45 years old, with a medium build, and long brown hair. She was seen wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, grey pants, and black running shoes at the time of the incident She is wanted on five charges, including fraud over $5,000, uttering a forged passport, and possession of property obtained by crime. Anyone who may be able to identify the suspect is asked to call the WPS Financial Crimes Unit at 519-255-6700 extension 4330. Crime Stoppers also will take anonymous tips at 519-258-8477 or online.
CBC
6 days ago
- General
- CBC
Windsor police officer faces new charge after pleading guilty in harassment case
A Windsor police officer who last month pleaded guilty to making harassing phone calls to a female colleague is now facing a new charge of uttering threats. Const. Joshua Smith pleaded guilty to criminal harassment and indecent communications at the end of April. Those charges stemmed from 2023, when Smith called the victim several times while moaning and breathing heavily, according to an agreed upon statement of facts. The Windsor Police Service disclosed on Wednesday that Smith "has also recently been charged with uttering threats." Spokesperson Gary Francoeur said the new charge is not related to the previous case, but did not provide additional details. Smith's lawyer was not immediately available to comment. Smith is already facing a charge of discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act as a result of last month's guilty plea. Francoeur said an internal investigation will begin after Smith's latest criminal case is completed. "As the internal disciplinary process is underway, we will not comment further at this time," Francoeur added. Smith has been suspended with pay since he was first charged in September 2023. Windsor Police Service's most recent Sunshine List shows that a Const. Joshua F. A. Smith was paid $125,320 in 2024. Police chiefs in Ontario have advocated for years for legislative change that would give them more power to fire or suspend officers without pay. The province passed a new law that expanded those powers somewhat — but it didn't take effect until last year.
CTV News
6 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Windsor police officer facing new charges, weeks after pleading guilty to criminal harassment
A Windsor police officer is facing new charges after pleading guilty to criminal harassment. Const. Joshua Smith was charged with uttering threats on May 22. Smith has been suspended with pay from the service since September 2023, when he was charged with criminal harassment and indecent telecommunication. According to the Windsor Police Service, Smith pleaded guilty to those charges in April 2025. He will be back in court in June to set a date for a sentencing hearing according to his lawyer Shane Miles who declined further comment. Meantime, new charges were laid for a separate incident. According to police, Smith is now facing a charge of uttering threats. CTV News has been unable to track down the specific details of the incidents in 2023 and 2025. Miles declined to comment on the new charge. WPS spokesperson Gary Francoeur says Smith is also facing one count of discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act for the 2023 offences. The new alleged offence will now trigger a separate investigation by the Professional Standards Branch of the Windsor Police Service. Here is the entire statement by WPS. The Windsor Police Service confirms that one of our members, Constable Joshua Smith, pleaded guilty last month to criminal harassment and indecent telecommunication. He has also recently been charged with uttering threats. As a result of his guilty plea to criminal harassment and indecent telecommunication, Constable Smith faces one charge of discreditable conduct in accordance with the Police Services Act, the legislation that was in effect at the time of the allegations. An internal investigation will also begin after the criminal case for uttering threats is completed. He has been suspended with pay since September 2023, under the provisions of the legislation governing police conduct in the internal disciplinary process is underway, we will not comment further at this time.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Province says it will fund training and maintenance for Windsor police helicopter
The province has disclosed some more details about a helicopter the government is buying for Windsor police amid questions from city officials about the aircraft's cost to local taxpayers and stated border security mandate. On May 15, Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government unveiled its 2025 budget, which includes $57 million to purchase two new Airbus H-135 helicopters — one for Niagara regional police, and one for Windsor police. The aircraft are meant to help municipal law enforcement "with increased patrols, security, and enforcement at key entry points at the U.S. border," according to the budget. On Monday, the province told CBC Windsor that it will be covering some of the costs associated with the new equipment. "Our government is ensuring police services have the tools they need to protect our borders and keep our communities safe — This includes supporting the Windsor Police Service with a new H-135 helicopter," wrote Dakota Moniz, director of communications for Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. "In addition to the new helicopter, we will provide funding to the police service to hire and train tactical flight officers, and support the Ontario Provincial Police, who will provide maintenance for the helicopter upon its arrival in 2027," Moniz stated. As Monday evening, Moniz had not responded to follow-up questions regarding how much the province would be providing, and whether those amounts are included in the original $57-million investment. Windsor city councillor Jo-Anne Gignac, who chairs the Windsor Police Services Board, has expressed concerns about the costs associated with operating and maintaining a helicopter. "I think for the people of Windsor to have to assume the cost of operating a helicopter is naturally concerning," Gignac told CBC after the announcement. WATCH: Ontario budget promises new police helicopter for Windsor After a meeting of the Windsor Police Services Board last week, Gignac said the city was still awaiting details from the province about the helicopter. "We still don't have the information that we need to be able to sign an agreement in terms of that tool," Gignac said. "And it is a tool. It's a tool that I appreciate the premier has thought that it might be a positive thing." There have also been questions whether it's the role of a municipal police service to patrol the international border — which is normally a federal responsibility. "It's just getting to the point where downloading of different responsibilities that were never part of our municipal responsibilities are coming left and right," Gignac said. "And so we have to be very careful." Both the Canadian and Ontario governments have implemented new border security measures in response to criticisms from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has claimed that fentanyl smuggling from Canada justifies imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods — despite data showing that the vast majority of fentanyl enters the U.S. from Mexico. In an effort to appease Trump, Ottawa announced in December that it would spend $1.3 billion on beefing up border security — which includes having the RCMP patrol the border with leased Black Hawk helicopters. The Windsor detachment of the RCMP declined an interview request on Monday and did not respond to questions about coordinating with the coming Windsor police helicopter patrol. There's some precedent for the province's new police helicopters. Ford's government previously said it was spending $134 million on five helicopters for police in Ottawa and the Toronto area. The latest announcement "builds on" that investment, the budget says, adding that the new aircraft "will help protect Ontario's borders and keep highways and roadways safe from violent carjackings, auto theft, street racing, and impaired driving."
CTV News
23-05-2025
- CTV News
Police chief search beginning soon, more on police helicopter
The Windsor Police Service has not chosen a new police chief just yet, mentioning Thursday the task will begin soon. Also, an update on the city's helicopter.
