News Release

For Immediate Release
May 2, 2008

McGuinty Government Creating New Fair And Effective Police Review System

NEWS

The province has nominated Gerry McNeilly as Director of Ontario’s new independent police review system, expected to be in place next year.

As Director, McNeilly would help build the new system and lead a new, independent civilian organization to handle public complaints about municipal and provincial police in Ontario.

The creation of the Office of the Independent Police Review Director is part of the government’s response to former Chief Justice Patrick LeSage’s 2005 report on the police complaints system in Ontario. The report included a call for the creation of an independent civilian review body for public complaints about municipal and provincial police in Ontario.

McNeilly’s nomination is subject to appointment by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

QUOTES

“Gerry McNeilly is an excellent choice to head up Ontario’s new police review system. I know that under his leadership, we can implement a system that has the confidence of both the police and the public,” said Attorney General Chris Bentley.

"I am delighted that Gerry McNeilly has accepted this nomination. His broad experience and professional stature make him the ideal candidate to bring the new police review legislation into reality," said Mr. LeSage.

QUICK FACTS

• McNeilly is a former Chair of the Board of Inquiry for the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal (now the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario) and has also served as a justice of the peace and deputy judge. For the last nine years he has served as the Executive Director for Legal Aid Manitoba.
• The new system was established by the Independent Police Review Act, 2007, unanimously passed by the legislature on May 15, 2007.
• In carrying out his review, Mr. LeSage travelled extensively across the province and met with over 200 individuals from more than 85 groups, representing both the public and police.

LEARN MORE

Learn more about the Independent Police Review Act, 2007.
Read Mr. LeSage’s report on the police complaints system in Ontario.