Turfed London police staffers push back on board’s ‘slanderous’ claims

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Two former senior London police employees are pushing back on the police board’s “slanderous” claim their jobs were eliminated as part of a restructuring to make the force more efficient.

Board chair Ali Chahbar sent an email to all police employees on May 1 saying director of legal services Patty Malone, director of human resources Lindsay Ferrier and director of facilities, finance and fleet Rob Lovecky were let go effective immediately.

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The job cuts were the result of a review to find efficiencies to help modernize the force and make London a safer city, Chahbar said.

But Malone and Ferrier are pushing back on those claims through their lawyer Susan Toth, who specializes in labour law and previously served as the police board chair.

“Ms. Malone and Ms. Ferrier have been forced to retain legal counsel to review the legality of this decision and to counter the slanderous messaging from the board that incorrectly suggests that their terminations were needed to provide better policing services,” Toth said.

“Contrary to the statement by the board, absolutely no review process was undertaken before the action was suddenly and unilaterally carried out.”

Chahbar’s email said the senior executive team – made up of Chief Thai Truong and his three deputies – will oversee the three affected departments on an interim basis.

Toth blasted that decision, saying it’s not indicative of an advanced or modern police force.

“You don’t better a police service by firing your most qualified experts and replacing them with uniformed officers,” said Toth, who served on the seven-member police board for nearly five years before resigning in January 2023. “This is irresponsible from a risk-management perspective.”

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“To ensure business continuity, two senior officers have been put in place on a temporary basis. This decision was made to ensure police operations continue while the (board) completes their review,” police said in a statement.

The eliminated director positions – the three most-senior civilian jobs within the force – previously were classified as unionized roles. But that changed as of April 1 when the Community Services and Policing Act came into effect, replacing the 34-year-old Police Services Act, as the law governing policing in Ontario.

Under the new legislation, directors of certain departments can’t be members of police associations, the unions that represent officers and civilian employees, if there’s a conflict of interest.

The London Police Association, the union representing nearly 900 officers and civilian staffers, didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Chahbar declined to speak about personnel matters, but said neither he nor the board has had any communication with Toth about the terminated employees.

“Respecting the confidentiality of both the parties and the matters at hand, I will reserve any comment in hope of a more private, civil and meaningful dialogue in this regard,” he said.

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The restructuring comes months after London police secured a record-setting $672-million budget during the next four years – including $168 million this year, a 28 per cent increase from the previous year – from city council.

The three directors were paid a combined $561,000 in salaries in 2023, according to an annual disclosure of Ontario public-sector employees making more than $100,000.

But Toth said the terminations will increase expenses and called the decision an irresponsible use of taxpayers’ money.

“They will be exploring all legal options with response to the termination and their rights and they cannot comment further at this time,” she said of her clients.

dcarruthers@postmedia.com

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