Fantino must be reined in TheStar.com - Opinion - Fantino must be reined in

July 26, 2008

Re:Fired officer takes on `racist' OPP, July 25 For the second time in a week, the Star has highlighted the demonstrated inability of Julian Fantino to deal in a fair and equitable way with First Nations issues. Premier Dalton McGuinty's appointment of Fantino to OPP commissioner is being shown to be a huge mistake, one that is particularly egregious given that the new commissioner's first job would have been to implement the Ipperwash inquiry recommendations. He continues to ignore Fantino's clear inability to provide the kind of leadership and direction that our provincial police force needs. Fantino has a long history of knee-jerk and inappropriate responses to legitimate issues of concern, and in Toronto he did not have the sensitivity, analysis and communication skills that are required to deal with our diverse population. Under his leadership the OPP has become more aggressive, more invested in expensive toys such as helicopters (AND TASERS!g) and less accountable to recommendations such as those contained in the Ipperwash inquiry report. This mirrors our experience in Toronto (intimidating black uniforms, targeted policing programs, ignoring the Jane Doe audit recommendations and evidence of racial profiling by police). At the very least Fantino needs to be reined in; and if he undermined First Nations negotiators, wrongfully dismissed a native officer and ignored his mandate regarding inquest recommendations, he should resign or be fired. Anna Willats, Toronto