OPP MORALE AND REPUTATION SUFFERING – RUNCIMAN

(TORONTO) – In a statement in the Ontario Legislature today, former Solicitor General and Leeds Grenville MPP Bob Runciman expressed concern over the situation currently confronting the Ontario Provincial Police dealing with the Caledonia stand-off and its impact on the Force’s reputation and morale.

“The OPP is essentially in a no win situation at Caledonia,” said Runciman. “The residents are upset with them for what they see as their failure to enforce the rule of law, and their humiliating retreat following their raid on the occupied property.”

Runciman contended that the OPP’s challenge is that they cannot count on the support of the McGuinty government “they are constantly looking over their shoulder,” said Runciman.

The veteran MPP pointed to comments made yesterday by the Minister responsible for policing, Monte Kwinter, where he blamed OPP officers for driving into the occupied land Sunday night where they were confronted by occupiers who smashed the OPP cruiser window. Kwinter also implicitly endorsed the occupiers claim that the occupied property is a “no-go zone” for the OPP.

“The OPP cannot, in any way, shape, or form count on the support of this government,” he charged. “These are difficult times for an outstanding police service and the responsibility for that lies squarely at the doorstep of the McGuinty Liberal government,” Runciman concluded.