The Village of Point Edward has penned a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, supporting a call from the premiers to strengthen the federal bail system.
The letter, pushing for changes to the Criminal Code, was prompted by recent deaths of police officers in the line of duty.
In late December 2022, OPP officer Grzegorz (Greg) Pierzchala was shot and killed while responding to a car crash near Hagersville. The man suspected of murdering the young first responder was reportedly out on bail at the time.
Village CAO Jim Burns said bail should be reviewed when a person is accused of assaulting a peace officer to ensure that first responders are protected and respected.
"There are people that get out on bail after committing serious crimes and commit more crimes," said Burns. "So, there needs to be changes put in place. If people commit serious crimes, they shouldn't get bail so easily. If the person who shot and killed (Cst. Pierzchala) was in jail where they belonged, maybe he would still be alive today. That's just one example, these things happen fairly regularly."
Burns said they agree with the premiers that a reverse onus on bail must be created for the offence of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm.
The letter states that someone accused of a firearms offence, where there's an imminent risk to the public, should have to prove why their detention is not justified.
A copy of the letter was also sent to various municipal and provincial leaders as well as representatives from the Police Association of Ontario, OPP and Sarnia police.
