Matt Skof, police union head, says the mayor needs to hold chief accountable

The president of the Ottawa Police Association says the morale of sworn and civilian members of the policeis declining and is calling on Mayor Jim Watson to address what he calls a lack of accountability for the police chief.

• Ottawa police Chief Charles Bordeleau cleared in traffic ticket call

"It's disturbing right now," MattSkof said.

"It's a very difficult position to be in when members have direct concerns around internal leadership. That in itself has a significant meaning."

Skof'scommentscomethe day after it became public Ottawa police Chief Charles Bordeleau was clearedin a conflict of interest case related to the handling of a family member's traffic ticket.

Union did not participate in OCPC

The Ontario Civilian Police Commission clearedBordeleau of wrongdoing after hephonedthe Provincial Offences Court officein Januaryto learn the name of the prosecutor assigned to his wife's father'scareless driving charge.

Bordeleauis married to lawyerLyndaBordeleau, who acts as general counselfor Peel Regional Police. Her father is formerGloucesterpolice chiefLester Thompson.

The charge waseventuallydismissed.

The commission'sreport was deliveredto the Ottawa Police Services Board on Aug.8

Skof had made a complaint to the Office of the Independent Police Review Director before the issue went to the commission. The OIPRD deals with civilian complaints so there was an issue over whether a police officer could file a complaint against another within the same service.

The union didn't participate in the OCPC review because they were still appealing their standing with the OIPRD.

"We made it clear to them that we were waiting for the judicial review to occur and to resolve itself prior to participating," Skof said.

Mayor needs to step in: Skof

He said it was inappropriate for the commission to go forward before the OIPRD appeal was resolved. Skof saidthe public and the mayor need to force the police services board to start a properinvestigation.

"The public input needs to go to the mayor's office because the police services board has abdicated their responsibility completely to provide oversight on the police executive. Without the mayor's influence, these issues will not be addressed," he said.

"These internal issues cannot be resolved with a transparent process. The members are held accountable. And rightfully so, there is proper oversight of police officers. What we're seeing now is a double standard. That's when you have morale issues."

Bordeleauhas denied any wrongdoing in the case.

The commission report says the charge againstBordeleau's father-in-law was dropped due to circumstance unrelated to the chief's intervention.

"Chief Bordeleau did not attempt to use his position to influence the outcome of theHighway Traffic Actmatter nor to communicate with the prosecutors," reads the report.

"The withdrawal of the charge happened because the civilian witness did not attend and there was no reasonable prospect of conviction. Withdrawal of a charge of this type in these circumstances was consistent with the practices adopted by the City of Ottawa in the prosecution ofHighway Traffic Actoffences."

An excerpt was made available to the media by the police services board.