With little forewarning (at east that I had noted) Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty announced this morning a new Commissioner for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). The news of course was not so much the identity of the new Commissioner but that the current Commissioner, Julian Fantino is not being re-appointed.
Chris D. Lewis has been named Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, effective August 1, 2010, replacing outgoing Commissioner Julian Fantino.
link: Office of the Premier, Dalton McGuinty | Chris D. Lewis Named New OPP Commissioner
Fantino has been dogged by controversy, much of it of his own making, throughout his policing career. In London Ontario, he was reviled by the gay community for inventing a child-porn crisis when no such thing existed and his merciless pursuit of innocent accused. Later, during his tenure as Toronto's police chief, he presided over a force that was riddled with scandal in the drug squad amongst others. His ruthless defence of his department did not serve him, or his credibility, well. Despite his very public lobbying to be re-appointed, the local police commission refused to extend his contract and it looked like his controversial career had come to end. Instead, when it appeared that his career was finished, he was resurrected as head of the OPP where more controversy swirled around his handling of a native land occupation in Caledonia and accusations of abuse of power in his treatment of senior officers (case still before the courts). His vanity project to repaint all the force's vehicles, when the province was in a severe budget crisis, was an impetuous mistake.
Police chiefs should inspire the public's confidence and, while Fantino has his supporters, too large a segment of the population distrusts him and his motives. Once again the story is that Fantino is not being reappointed. Maybe, as has been rumoured, he had let it be known within government that he did not want another term. Maybe he does want to run for mayor of his home City of Vaughan where being the "eye of the hurricane" seems to be a prerequisite of the job. That scenario may play out in the next few weeks and the electorate may get to decide on his future. If he runs, I wouldn't bet on any other candidate, but I will be glad I don't live in Vaughan.
The Premier's decision to promote from within the force and the selection of a seemingly non-controversial career-officer is wise and should serve to restore the public's confidence in the OPP.
