Q&A: Terry Whitehead talks police services board suspension

Ward 8 councillor Terry Whitehead says he believesthere are some underlying motives behind the timing of his suspension fromHamilton's police services board.

Whitehead says he found out Wednesday the police board prompted the Ontario Civilian Police Commission to launch an investigation into his behavior as a board member. Anytime an investigation is launched, the board member is automatically suspended. The board requested the commission investigate Whitehead's conduct on April 18, a month before Whitehead called De Caire a liar. He later apologized to the chief.

Whitehead spoke to CBC Hamilton about the investigation:

Q: Were you given any reasons as to why the investigation was started?

A:I don't have any details. Over three months ago I made a comment to[board appointee]Jim Kay after an information motion that was put forward by Coun. Morelli and myself and supported by Mayor Bratina to look at the implications of a lower budget in regards to police services.

Jim Kay voted against it, even though it was an only an information reportand I said, 'we'll see how long you sit there with decisions like that.' It wasn't a good comment but I was making a point that we're measured by our performance and the types of decisions we make. That's how you get appointed.

I apologized for that immediately, and he accepted my apology. So it's suspect that three months later that would come into play.

Did the notice of the investigation take you by surprise?

A: No, not at all. When you take a look at the light that has shone on the board over this last budget process, and the lack of probing questions and accountabilitysome of the board members ended up in pretty heavy scrutiny through the media.

Is there anything else that you can think of that would contribute to the investigation?

A: Well I did go on the radio and talk about [the police budget]. I'm a councillor too. And when I'm asked questions about the police budget, I feel compelled to respond to my views on the police service's budget as a councillor.

Clearly some of the board members didn't like the fact that I was getting a medium to discuss the police budget, and used the argument that there is only one spokesperson on behalf of the board. Certainly I wasn't speaking on behalf of the board, but that's one of the allegations.

Did you ever throw down a pile of papers in a closed session? Could that be a contributing factor too?

A: There's no question that I was given a very thick document at the end of a meeting. I was asked to fill out this document but I wanted to take it back with me, read it and then respond. The chief said no because the document was confidential.

I reminded him I was a board member that is sworn to confidentiality. He claimed it was more confidential, but I didn't accept that argument. The chair didwhich is not unusual. So I slammed my paper down on the board table.

So this means you won't be part of Chief De Caire's performance review?

A: Apparently. Is the timing coincidental? This is board politics. That's what it is. I have a lot of respect for a third-party reviewthat's what those processes are all about. But what they have achievedregardless of innocenceis under the act I have to remove myself.

What will this do for Coun. Merulla's motion with regards to dissolving the Police Services Board and bringing decisions regarding police under council?

A:I think it just strengthens it. I believe a number of my colleagues understand what's going on. We have a number of issues. We have a mayor that clearly has no allies on council, but he does have allies with the three provincial appointees on the board. So this is one way of him seeking retribution on a council member.

I have a lot of respect for the three provincial appointees. I don't want to undermine that. But having said that, I think they're being somewhat co-opted in this whole process.

What does this say about the police services act?

A: I respect what's there. But I firmly believe that the police services act is dated. The code of conduct issues are dated.

If you get to stay on the board, do you think you will change your approach?

A: I'm a passionate individual and outspoken, and that's what people elected me forto be a strong voice and a champion for issues when it comes to value for dollar and affordability.

Obviously you always reflect on what you do in the past and see how you can improve in the future. You always learn from mistakes. But I will never lose the passion to fight on behalf of taxpayers.

Do you think you will be able to stay on the board in the end?

A: I don't want to speculate, but I think that the process needs to be allowed to unfold. I'm quite confident that this is driven by something other than my behavior. The whole timing of this is suspect, and I think that will come out in due time.