A Chatham-Kent police officer has been demoted, resulting in a $10,000 loss in salary, after the police services board determined he failed to handle a child abuse claim appropriately.
"We turned to Chatham-Kent Police Services for protection but instead we were dismissed," said Charlotte Brennan, who brought forth the complaint in May 2016.
Brennan was brought to tears as she recounted the initial interview with Constable Brad Molnar. Brennan, her son, and a representative from children's service travelled to the detachment after learning in December 2015, her then 12-year-old son was subject to abuse to the extent of being slammed into a door three times, all while trying to protect his then eight-year-old brother.
Despite hearing the claim, Molnar did nothing to help, the police standards hearing heard, on Thursday.
A consequence which resulted in the officer pleading guilty to charges of negligence and discreditable conduct. A third charge of insubordination was dismissed.
"We expected an investigation would ensue," said Brennan reading a victim impact statement. "I felt unheard, frustrated and dismayed... my son believed he was going to die at the hands of his father, this is an experience he will never forget."
It wasn't until August of 2018 that an investigation into the child abuse was launched by police. It is unclear if any charges have been laid in the ongoing investigation.
Both crown prosecutor Paul Bailey and defence attorney Damon Hardy agreed on the facts that Molnar did hear the family's cry for help and that the man accused of child abuse had previous records for domestic violence and uttering threats. Despite the evidence, Molnar did not contact his supervisor, a criminal investigations unit, or the Children's Aid Society. In addition, he didn't so much as write a report or take statements from the 12-year-old or Brennan.
Since the failure to act from the police department, Brennan said her son's life has been shaken. He now suffers from an acute form of PTSD and still sleeps with a knife under his mattress out of fear that an intruder will walk through the door.
"The trajectory of my son's life has been forever shifted," she said. "Had constable Molnar done his job, I feel I would have less anxiety."
At the latter half of the nearly two and a half hour proceeding at the John D. Bradley Centre, Molnar addressed Brennan directly. An overwhelming look of remorse came across his face as he stood in front of adjudicator Morris Elbers, turned to Brennan, and apologized for his neglect. Molnar told the room he had "learned some very important lessons."
After the apology, Brennan forgave the officer.
"Hopefully this experience will remind you we all have a voice and we all need to be heard," she said.
Molnar has spent almost 19 years as a police officer. He has been involved with the K-9 unit, as well as working with the drug intelligence unit. He was demoted last year to general policing duties in accordance with this internal investigation.
Until this incident, his record was unblemished, the hearing heard. Morris, however, said while it was an isolated incident it was a "very, very serious failure."
Molnar has been demoted from first-class constable to second-class constable effective during the next pay period, which will mean he will forfeit $10,000 in salary. He will, however, be reinstated to first-class constable next year.