Here's my submission about the OIPRD and some of the local Cowboys working for the Greater Subdury Police Services.
What can I say about the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) other than it's a serious joke. I sent a complaint on April 11, 2014 against two police officers of the Greater Sudbury Police Services to the OIPRD. Because Cst. Roberto Laino and Sgt. Steve Russell who were
working at the Sudbury Courthouse located at 155 Elm Street where they harassed me 3 times in a span of less than 30 minutes on April 7, 2014.
This was while I was sitting down, signing, dating and reviewing my Statement of Claim prior to filing it with the Court Registrar's office.
I did asked Cst. Roberto Laino and Sgt. Steve Russell what crime had I
committed and they couldn't give me an answer. At no time afterwards,
was I ever accused of any crime either. So in effect I was contrary to Section 9 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms being arbitrily detained as Sgt. Steve Russell gave orders to Cst. Roberto Laino to search
my jacket contrary to Section 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure.
Sgt. Steve Russell even indicated that if I don't like what they are doing
that I can file a complaint while they searched my jacket.
To get some proof of what Cst. Roberto Laino and Sgt. Steve Russell was doing. I called them from home and recorded the conversation. It's mostly white noise, because as you all know the Government likes to make everyone wait while on the phone. But at 3:30 minutes onwards you can hear the conversation between me and Cst. Roberto Laino. Roberto Laino even admits that he spoke to me three times, that knew I was just there just to file paperwork.
Which is in fact a civil lawsuit against some of his co-workers at the Sudbury Regional Police services) and that he also
would have searched my jacket even if Sgt. Steve Russell would have
told him otherwise.
Talk about a Cowboy making up his own rules.
Here's that recorded conversation.
As for recording your own telephone conversations. Your allowed to do
so if your one of the parties involved. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Recording somebody elses telephone conversation though is most likely illegal without their consent. So don't do it.
I finally got my 1st response from the OIPRD sometime in late April of 2014.
As you can see below circled in red what the OIPRD said:
1. That it's unfortunate that the persons that I complained about
Cst. Roberto Laino and Sgt. Steve Russell are not police officers
under the Police Services act.
2. That they also regret that they can't assist me.
So knowing that I was right and could prove such to the OIPRD. I sent another letter on May 13, 2014 along with proof that the two individuals
that I mentioned in my complaint are in fact police officers of the Greater Sudbury Police Services under the Police Services Act.
The OIPRD sent me another reply letter after they reveived the proof that I sent them that Cst. Roberto Laino and Sgt. Steve Russell are in fact police officers. Look said now in their reply letter dated May 26, 2014 circled in
red.
"Our office has had the opportunity to review your original complaint along with your recent submissions. Upon review, it appears that our office incorrectly closed your file, indicating that Constable Laino and Sgt. Russell, were court officers when in fact, they are sworn police officers."
And,
"Under Section 60 (4) of the Police Services Act permits the
Independent Police Review Director not to deal wit a complaint."
So much for what the OIPRD said in their first letter that it's:
"That it's unfortunate that the persons that I complained about Cst. Roberto Laino and Sgt. Steve Russell are not police officers
under the Police Services act."
I call it a crock and a fancy loophole to cover up things.
In the end, the OIPRD still did doing nothing despite admitting that they
were wrong and stating that it's unfortunate that the people I complained about were not Police officers in their first reply letter.
As per usual, nothing gets done in the end. I say this public accountability
and transparency that you all hear about is nothing but a big smoke screen.
It's no wonder the public's faith is very low when it comes to filing any complaints. I bet many complaints are just thrown in the garbagecan. I can't be the only one.
I also find it odd that The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) who receives, manages and oversees all complaints about police in Ontario states on it's page here:
About the Oiprd under the Heading of "Independent Civilian Oversight"
That:
"The OIPRD was established under the Independent Police Review Act, 2007, and began work on October 19, 2009, as an independent, neutral, arm's-length agency of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General."
I personally find this misleading. But this is just me. How can the OIPRD really be an independent, neutral, arm's-length agency of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General?
When you look here:
Ministry of Attorney General - What We Do Under the Heading of "Offices, Agencies, Boards and Commissions". You can clearly see that the Office of the Independent Police Review Director is listed.
I placed a photo below of that to save you time. Do notice in red who's is charge there and who falls under their scope below. Anyone see the Ministry of Attorney General of Ontario and OIPRD circled?
Which in my opinon proves that OIPRD does in fact is accountable
and/or works under the guidance of the Ministry of Attorney General
in some form or another. Is there any other way to look at it?
I guess this could be one reason why my Police complaints didn't get too far. Considering I'm suing both the Police and the Ministry of Attorney General.
Copies of these two letters from the OIPRD and my original complaints
were all sent to the Chief of the Greater Sudbury Police. Again as per say ususal, you never heard anyting come of it.
I guess that's what the Police Chief means by transparency as well
If anyone of you have any concerns to what is written on this Web page.
