Latest news with #WindsorPoliceServicesBoard
Toronto Sun
01-08-2025
- Toronto Sun
Wrongfully convicted in 2 deaths, motorist sues Windsor police, lawyer for $3.2M
Motorist wrongly convicted for double-fatal Windsor crash came close to getting prison of up to 8 years. Doug Schmidt Published Aug 01, 2025 • Last updated 6 hours ago • 3 minute read Emergency personnel are shown at the scene of a serious collision on Saturday, January 4, 2020, at the intersection of Lauzon Pkwy. and Forest Glade Drive. Two people died in the vehicle struck by this pickup. Photo by Dan Janisse / Windsor Star Wrongfully convicted in the deaths of two others, a local motorist is seeking $3.2 million in damages in a civil lawsuit filed against the Windsor Police Services Board; the police chief and three investigating officers; as well as his former lawyer. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Philip Hayes was handcuffed at the scene and taken into custody by police investigating a two-vehicle collision that killed another motorist and passenger at the intersection of Lauzon Parkway and Forest Glade Drive on the afternoon of Jan. 4, 2020. Following a trial before Superior Court Justice Russell Raikes in Windsor in June 2023, Hayes was found guilty on two criminal counts of dangerous driving causing death. The Crown was seeking a custodial sentence of up to eight years in prison. But between the guilty verdicts and a looming sentencing hearing scheduled for January 2024, Hayes, now 35, fired his lawyer and retained new counsel, who brought in an independent 'forensic engineer' to conduct a separate investigation into the fatal crash. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Analyzing that new crash reconstruction report, the police and prosecution then conceded that big mistakes had been made in the way the original investigation was conducted. One of the police investigators conceded the independent report was 'much more consistent with the physical evidence,' including more accurate technical analysis of vehicle 'crash data recorder' and 'airbag control modules' information. In May 2024, more than four years after the tragic crash, the judge, in a rare move, set aside the convictions. 'At the end of the day, we got it right,' Justice Raikes said at that time. 'The system worked because of the diligence of counsel.' But according to a lawsuit filed in Superior Court, the conduct of police, including initially publicizing the businessman's arrest and the charges, was 'malicious' and 'reckless' and 'destroyed Philip's public reputation and damaged his business and employment prospects.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The Plaintiff sustained injuries, losses and damages including depression, anxiety, physical and emotional trauma, loss of reputation, stigma, and past loss of income and a loss of competitive advantage.' The lawsuit, containing allegations yet to be argued or proven in court, is set for the pre-trial discovery stage in September, when the parties gather to exchange information to back up their positions. Neither lawyers for the plaintiff nor the police, when contacted by the Star, wished to comment or have their clients be interviewed by a reporter. Firefighters are shown at the scene of a serious collision on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, at the intersection of Lauzon Parkway and Forest Glade Drive in east Windsor. Two occupants in this minivan were killed as a result of the crash that occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. Photo by Dan Janisse / Windsor Star The police adopted the independent engineer's report 'in its entirety' and in so doing concluded it 'may drastically change the causative factors of the collision.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The judge originally agreed with the prosecution's case, which included testimony from two eyewitnesses travelling in the same direction as Hayes's Ford F-350, stating he had been 'driving at a high rate of speed, changing lanes aggressively and swerving in and out of traffic' while southbound on Lauzon Parkway. Another witness testified the pickup entered the intersection at a red light and collided with the Dodge Journey, which had been turning left at an advanced green light. In its statement of defence to the lawsuit, the police stated that 'these Defendants deny that any of them engaged in a negligent investigation, or were otherwise negligent.' It points to the evidence of 'multiple witnesses' supporting the prosecution's case and that the investigating officers 'acted without malice.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Hayes's original lawyer, in his own statement of defence, 'denies that he was negligent … (and) acted with reasonable competence and diligence.' It points a finger of blame at the judge, who 'rejected' the evidence of other witnesses who testified in support of Hayes. The judge, it added, 'improperly and arbitrarily attributed a speed to the Plaintiff's vehicle despite that it (speed) was not pursued by the Crown' at trial as an issue. While arguing no negligence on their own part, both the police and the former lawyer argue the losses claimed and damages sought are 'excessive, exaggerated.' Both have also filed a 'crossclaim' against each other, arguing that the other party, under Ontario's Negligence Act, should cover 'any amounts' to which the plaintiff might be found eligible. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More To fight for his innocence, Hayes incurred 'significant expenses … to defend the baseless charges against him,' according to his lawsuit claim. Hayes is seeking $200,000 in general damages; $1.5 million in 'special' damages; and $1.5 million for 'aggravated, punitive and exemplary' damages, for a total claim of $3.2 million. He also seeks recovery of legal costs for the civil suit on top of that. dschmidt@ Toronto & GTA Toronto Blue Jays Columnists Canada World
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."
CBC
19-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
'Apparent failure' of Windsor police board in dealing with chief's racist remarks, police group says
Following an investigation that substantiated claims Windsor's police chief made racist comments in the workplace, a provincial group representing police unions is condemning those remarks and pointing to an "apparent failure" of the oversight board tasked with providing accountability. On Monday, CBC News published information based on a summary of an internal investigation into racism complaints against Windsor police chief Jason Bellaire. That investigation was finished in January. The internal probe substantiated allegations that Bellaire made comments that violated Windsor police directives, according to the summary, which didn't specify what remarks he's said to have made. Inspector Ed Armstrong filed that internal complaint. He also filed a Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario complaint outlining his allegations. Armstrong described several racist comments he said Bellaire made to him at work, including a joke about bananas and Black people, asking him to use his "Black magic" and saying he needed a "Black friend" to accompany him to certain events. Mark Baxter, president of the Police Association of Ontario, said the group "condemns" such comments. "This kind of behaviour erodes public trust and undermines the integrity of the work of police service members to ensure the safety and security of our communities," he said in a statement. "People in Windsor deserve to know that the chief of police — the head of the police service — is being held to the highest standard, is not discriminating against his service members and is serving all people equitably inclusive of race," he added. The advocacy organization represents the members of 45 police unions across Ontario — some 31,000 officers and civilian employees. Both Armstrong and Bellaire did not respond to requests from CBC News for a comment. When asked in an email to confirm whether the allegations against Bellaire were substantiated, Windsor police spokesperson Gary Francoeur said "The information in your message is not entirely accurate." He refused to clarify what he meant, stating he can't comment further because it's before the human rights tribunal. A spokesperson for the Windsor Police Services Board wouldn't answer questions about what consequences, if any, Bellaire will face for his comments that violated internal directives. "The Windsor Police Service Board will make no comment on personnel matters regarding a specific employee," said Norma Coleman, Windsor police board administrative director. The PAO is demanding "full transparency" so the Windsor police board can "restore confidence in their leadership." "Equally concerning is the apparent failure of the Windsor Police Services Board to take swift and decisive action in holding the chief accountable. Leadership in policing must be held to the highest standard, and when those in positions of power fail to uphold those values, it sends a damaging message to members and the communities we proudly serve," said Baxter. 'Lack of transparency' is deeply concerning, says PAO The union representing Windsor police officers, the Windsor Police Association, previously told CBC News that it too is seeking accountability from the board. "What I do find troubling is that the police services board has been aware of this issue for several weeks and has yet to address it, either with my membership or the public. This lack of transparency and action is deeply concerning," president Kent Rice said.
