Police Commission dismisses Lavoie appeal

The Ontario Civilian Police Commission has upheld findings against Gary Lavoie, a Greater Sudbury Police sergeant who was found guilty of breaching the Code of Conduct under the Ontario Police Services Act.

Lavoie was suspended from duty on Sept. 7, 2011. He was found guilty on July 12, 2013 of discreditable conduct, neglect of duty, breach of confidence and insubordination. The commission called for his immediately dismissal from the service.

Lavoie appealed the decision, asking the commission quash or stay all findings against him and that the penalty be revoked, quashed or in the alternative reduced, said a news release from Greater Sudbury Police Service.

In its decision issued Nov. 20, 2014, the OCPC dismissed the appeal in its entirety and upheld the decision for termination as rendered.

Police Chief Paul Pedersen said that he is “always disappointed to learn of the shortcomings of those charged with upholding the law, but that I am pleased that justice has ultimately been served.

“This officer had breached policy and the system has held him squarely accountable for his actions. Discipline as imposed under the Police Services Act seeks to ensure procedural fairness providing an open and transparent look at all of the evidence. In the end, the commission upheld the decision that Mr. Lavoie could no longer serve as a police officer and termination of his employment was the only justified outcome.”

Lavoie had served as an officer for close to 30 years prior to his suspension.