Toronto police veteran Ron Taverner has put his controversial appointment as OPP commissioner on hold, pending a review of concerns the hiring was influenced by his friendship with Premier Doug Ford.The dramatic turnabout came less than 48 hours before he was to be sworn in as Ontario’s top cop Monday amid a political firestorm and questions about the independence of Ontario Provincial Police.“Out of the greatest of respect for the brave men and women of the Ontario Provincial Police, I am requesting my appointment as commissioner be postponed until as such time the integrity commissioner has completed his review,” Taverner, 72, said in statement Saturday afternoon.The move was welcomed by critics pushing for an investigation by the province’s independent integrity watchdog– including a lowering of the qualification requirements that allowed Taverner, who holds the Toronto rank of superintendent, to apply.The number of voices raising concerns about the hiring process has been growing since Taverner’s appointment was announced Nov. 29, and included former OPP commissioner Chris Lewis and former RCMP commissioner Bob Paulson.“We are very relieved Mr. Taverner will not be appointed Monday and sworn in,” Deputy NDP Leader Sara Singh told reporters Saturday at Queen’s Park.Read more: Acting OPP chief asks court to examine ombudsman’s decision not to review Ron Taverner appointmentTories blast OPP commissioner’s ‘unfounded allegations’ about Taverner hiring‘No concerns’ about hiring of Ron Taverner to head the OPP, says Ontario Safety Minister Sylvia Jones“However we are still very concerned. Where there is smoke, there is fire. There are a lot of unanswered questions here.”The New Democrats have called on integrity commissioner J. David Wake to look into “potential political interference” in the appointment of Taverner, a long-time family friend of the Fo ...
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