The odds are against Toronto police veteran Ron Taverner ever being able to effectively lead the OPP because controversy over his friendship with Premier Doug Ford has done irreversible damage, policing experts say.Concerns about potential conflicts of interest will always linger, several law enforcement sources said Sunday.“You’re not doing any favours putting him in that job,” former RCMP commissioner Bob Paulson told the Star, echoing remarks from others in the field.“I don’t see how this can be fixed,” said a retired senior police executive who requested anonymity to speak freely.“If there’s any perception of a linkage like the pictures of him arm-in-arm with Premier Ford, how is the public ever going to have confidence?”The warnings came a day after Taverner asked for his Monday swearing-in to be “postponed” until Ontario’s integrity commissioner can review the hiring process, which included a lowering of qualifications that cleared the way for the 72-year-old superintendent from the Ford family’s Etobicoke stomping grounds to apply for the $275,000-a-year post. Taverner could not be reached for comment but said Saturday he was temporarily stepping aside “out of the greatest respect for the brave men and women of the Ontario Provincial Police.” The government agreed to the request and noted it retains “full confidence” in him.Read more:Ron Taverner was considered for other top jobs with province, sources sayHow Ron Taverner’s resumé compares with the last four OPP commissioners’Close adviser to Premier Doug Ford had real estate deal with future OPP commissioner Ron TavernerShould the appointment proceed, “he’s going to have trouble, subject to the members of the OPP looking over his shoulders wondering about every inquiry he might make,” Paulson predicted.One potential pitfall cited is a situation like the Ontario Provinci ...
|
