Chatham-Kent police had to deal with more public complaints in 2020 but conducted fewer internal investigations generated by the Chief.
A report presented at the police services board on Tuesday showed 28 were public complaints for conduct and 59 were Chief's complaints that involve internal investigations of personnel and discipline for both uniformed officers and civilian employees.
Police board members were told 17 of the 28 complaints made by the public were refused by The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD), five were unsubstantiated, and two were withdrawn by the complainant. Police said one investigation continues, one was resolved, and two were terminated by OIPRD.
The 28 public complaints reported last year are an increase from the 17 reported in 2019 for conduct and service.
The number of internal investigations ordered by the Chief were down last year compared to 2019. In 2020, there were 59 investigations, down from the 76 the previous year. The report showed 11 were for discreditable conduct, six were for neglect of duty, and four were investigations done by the provincial Special Investigations Unit. Twenty were for crashes involving a police cruiser and 18 were listed as 'other' for things such as damaged or lost equipment.
According to police, two complaints led to criminal charges, two resulted in traffic charges, one led to a Police Service Act Hearing, and one led to disciplinary action. Fifteen other cases involved either counseling or a reprimand, seven were resolved by informal discipline, nine were unsubstantiated, and 19 were resolved with either more training, policy changes or didn't require any action.
Police said six internal investigations continue and five more were to assist other police services -- there were no resignations or terminations as a result of the complaints and investigations.
Use of force incidents by officers also fell last year to 51 from 75 in 2019. Police said no firearms were discharged in 2020, although they were drawn 34 times during an arrest. Those numbers are about the same as the previous two years. Tasers were also used seven times last year compared to 14 times the previous year. Narcan -- which is used to reverse opioid overdoses -- also had to be used 42 times last year compared to 21 times in 2019.
Several officers and civilians with Chatham-Kent police were recognized in 2020 for going above and beyond the call of duty. Three received board citations, 21 received Chief's commendations, and 28 received letters of recognition from the Deputy Chief.