A high-ranking Durham police officer is facing internal police charges for allegedly drinking on the job and “tyrannical” behaviour toward subordinates.Insp. Nick Lisi is accused of being verbally abusive toward four officers, calling one sergeant a “back-stabbing weasel” and berating a constable in an “intimidating” and “inappropriate” way, according to the allegations included in a notice of hearing.The veteran officer is also charged with allegedly inviting some members of his unit to drink alcohol in his office while on duty, as well as engaging in “vexatious” behaviour that “ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome.”Lisi, who runs a division of 150 officers that patrols Pickering and Ajax, attended a brief disciplinary hearing on Wednesday morning. The matter was adjourned to March. Lisi previously told the Star the allegations against him are untrue.“The information you have is erroneous and incorrect,” he said.At Wednesday’s hearing, Lisi was represented by Durham police superintendent Joe Maiorano, who said the inspector was “not prepared to comment” at this stage of the disciplinary process.“We’re not going to try this in the media,” Maiorano said. “It’s what goes on in here that’s of primary importance.”Durham police sources say Lisi plans to retire, a move that would effectively render the disciplinary proceedings moot as the force would likely not pursue Police Act charges against someone who is not an active officer.“That’s not something I can comment on,” Maiorano said. “It has to do with an individual and their life plan.”Some of the charges stem from a complaint filed by a female sergeant accusing Lisi of orchestrating a campaign of harassment and discrimination.Durham Sgt. Nicole Whiteway alleged Lisi mocked subordinates’ appearances, ridiculed their personal lives ...
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