Police board holds closed-door meeting without Lougheed

The Greater Sudbury Police Services Board met in-camera this week to consider “the findings contained in a recently released report by Ontario’s Chief Electoral Officer that board chair Gerry Lougheed Jr. may have contravened the Ontario Elections Act in relation to private tape-recorded conversations between Mr. Lougheed Jr. and Mr. Andrew Olivier,” the board said in a statement Thursday.

Lougheed was not present during the closed-door meeting, where members consulted with legal counsel. The controversy centres on a bribery investigation conducted by Elections Ontario and the OPP. While Elections Ontario recently concluded that the law was “apparently” broken, the OPP has yet to release its conclusions.

“The board also contemplated the provisions of the Police Services Act which bear upon this matter as it relates to the roles and responsibilities of the board and its obligations for ensuring adequate and effective police services,” the release said.

The board decided to contact the Ontario Civilian Police Commission, an independent agency “committed to serving the public by ensuring that adequate and effective police services are provided to communities in a fair and accountable manner.”

Lougheed has given his “full support and co-operation” to the idea, the release said, adding the commission’s role includes the oversight of board members.

“The board has advised the commission of its actions to date concerning this matter and the fact that some members of the community have communicated their concerns to the board. The board respects the commission’s mandate and is open to the commission’s views.

“The board respects the investigative processes underway by the responsible agencies. As these matters remain under investigation or consideration by the Ontario Provincial Police and Elections Ontario, the board will have no further comment.”