Chair of Police Services Board gives Chief of Police a 'Get Out of Jail' card - let's him off the hook

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

January 8th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

Corrected: Rob Burton is the Mayor of Oakville and not Burlington – When I type Mayor my computer adds Burlington.

Chair of the Police Services Board Rob Burton, who is also the Mayor of Oakville said today that “Chief Steve  Tanner informed me in advance of his travel to tend to a property matter. I had no objection.

wef

Halton Regional Police Chief Steve Tanner has the full confidence of the Chair of the Police Services Board.

“Things can always look differently in hindsight, can’t they, and things looked differently back before the partial lockdown began when I didn’t have an objection.

Burton Rob - glancingf left

Rob Burton – Oakville Mayor and Chair of the Police Services Board – gives the police chief some wiggle room

“Since then, I would have responded differently. Chief Tanner continues to have my full confidence. The Chief leads our police service in an exemplary manner and will continue to do so.”

It would appear that the Chief advised the Chair – the Chair said ‘no problem’ bring back some of those Cuban cigars with you’.  Then the lock down was imposed.  Did the Chair direct the Chief to get back pronto – and is the Chief in place now or is he self isolating?

Related news story

Police Chief in the sunny south

Burlington Mayor releases a Statement

Return to the Front page
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

10 comments to Chair of Police Services Board gives Chief of Police a ‘Get Out of Jail’ card – let’s him off the hook

  • Terence

    Burton, in his arrogance, totally undermines the integrity and impartiality of the Halton Police Services Board.

    How many other decisions by this Board have been made with such obvious favoritism and how can the public they are supposed to represent trust their honesty and integrity in the future?

    Definitely a sad day for the region and a sad day for the other Board members who seem to be very quiet on this matter presumably not wishing to upset the Chair – reminds me of Trump and his cohorts!

  • Fred Crockett

    It appears that the bull has diarrhea….

    I have lived in Halton for over 30 years, and have generally been pleased wit the civic administration and the police services, but there is no reason whatsoever for the current Chief to masquerade a Florida vacation as a visit to view his property investment. Similarly, I understood that the Oakville Mayor was a good and decent person, but it appears that he is just another trough-diver….

    I don’t know whether the Chief of Police should be fired or resign, or whether the Oakville Mayor should resign from his position as the head of the Police Board, but this whole thing stinks as “the bull having diarrhea”…..

  • Wendy

    Is your source credible that made the “cigar” comment ? If so Burton needs to be gone as well ! Resign as Chair of Police Services Board and Mayor of Oakville. I’m sick and tired of politicians saying “it was a lapse in judgment” “so sorry” “I shouldn’t have done it”. Give me a break !

  • g.fraser

    “Chair of the Police Services Board Rob Burton, who is also the Mayor of Oakville said today that “Chief Steve Tanner informed me in advance of his travel to tend to a property matter. I had no objection.”

    “the Chair said ‘no problem’ bring back some of those Cuban cigars with you’.”

    Again, you can’t fix stupid but you can fire this Police Chief and not re-elect this Mayor. How many times have I said that this level of ludicrousness is found in ALL levels of gov’t, ALL parties & even Hospital CEO, Physician-leaders in Toronto and PMH oncology heads.

    When you accept the Responsibility of these positions, you become a role model. When you abuse this power you must accept the consequences. I too have a property out of the Halton region but I have not gone their to check it. Not till the ban is lifted.

    I do feel sorry for the Liberal MP who flew internationally for the Father’s funeral but then again, there are many Canadians who could not hold their Parent’s hand during their last hours of life due to COVID restriction.

    WE must learn from these mistakes or we will end up making them all again. No different than what is again happening in many LTC homes. Mistakes not learned become death revisited with this pandemic.

    Stay safe. Use common sense. Get vaccinated.

    cheers
    gfraser

  • Both need to resign; They both knew what was coming!

  • Ben Tuinman

    Rob Burton : the mayor of Burlington??

    Corrected: Rob Burton is the Mayor of Oakville and not Burlington – When I type Mayor my computer adds Burlington.

  • Jim Thomson

    Burton is the Mayor of Oakville.
    He obviously needs to be removed as chair of police services board for his lack of judgement.
    Tanner needs to be fired for his lack of judgement.
    What part of non-essential travel don’t these people understand?

    Corrected: Rob Burton is the Mayor of Oakville and not Burlington – When I type Mayor my computer adds Burlington.

  • Wayne Brown

    IQ question Pepper.

    Who is the Mayor of Burlington?

    Corrected: Rob Burton is the Mayor of Oakville and not Burlington – When I type Mayor my computer adds Burlington.

  • MrBean

    Mayor of Oakville, not Burlington.

    Corrected: Rob Burton is the Mayor of Oakville and not Burlington – When I type Mayor my computer adds Burlington.