The interim commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police is seeking a review of “potential political interference” in the appointment of Toronto police Supt. Ron Taverner, on Tuesday filing a formal letter of complaint requesting that Ontario’s ombudsman conduct a review. The move comes less than a week before incoming commissioner Taverner is scheduled to be sworn in as the head of one of the largest police services in North America. “Citing the objective of protecting the credibility and perceived independence of the OPP, Commissioner Blair, in his capacity as Commissioner of the OPP and in his personal capacity, is seeking a review so that the current level of public anxiety and concern may be addressed,” according to a press release sent on behalf of interim OPP commissioner Brad Blair late Tuesday night. Blair was named interim commissioner by the Progressive Conservative government, via an October order in council.The Progressive Conservative government’s appointment of Taverner has proven controversial, as Taverner, 72, is a close friend of Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Ford has admitted he did not recuse himself from cabinet when Taverner was approved, but said he “had zero influence and no matter who it was I would have accepted.” Taverner, who has 51 years with the Toronto Police Service, is a long-time unit commander in charge of Etobicoke divisions. Taverner was also close to the premier’s late brother, former Toronto mayor Rob Ford, and was often at Ford family barbecues and had informal breakfast meetings with both Rob and Doug Ford. Critics within government have raised concerns about the Ford family relationship with Taverner, chief among them the fact that it is the OPP that is often tasked with investigations involving the government. He succeeds Vince Hawkes, 56, who retired earlier this year. Taverner was unanimously selected by a panel that included Steve Orsini, head of the Ontario Public ...
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