John P. MacBeth, Q.C.

The appellant, an off-duty police officer, was convicted of discreditable conduct after uttering a profanity at a police station following a discussion about a parking ticket.

He appealed the conviction and penalty.

The Ontario Civilian Police Commission allowed the appeal, finding that the isolated use of the profanity in the presence of only a few officers did not carry the potential to bring wide discredit upon the reputation of the police force.

The conviction and punishment were quashed.

The appellant, a police sergeant, appealed his convictions for making a false statement and discreditable conduct, as well as the resulting penalty, imposed by the Police Committee.

He argued that the officer who signed the charge sheet lacked authority and that the convictions were unsupported by evidence.

The Ontario Police Commission dismissed the appeal, finding that the officer who signed the charge sheet had been properly designated as Acting Chief and had the requisite authority.

The Commission declined to interfere with the trial tribunal's findings of credibility and fact.

Furthermore, while the Commission accepted medical reports indicating the appellant suffered from depression, it concluded this evidence did not justify altering the penalty.

The appellant police constable appealed a conviction for discreditable conduct.

The charge sheet alleged assault and threats of assault related to a private debt collection.

However, the conviction was ultimately based on the appellant attending a private home in uniform and driving a police cruiser to advance a private matter, after the assault allegations were not proven.

The Commission allowed the appeal and quashed the conviction, finding that the charge sheet did not provide sufficient particulars to enable the appellant to prepare a defence for the specific conduct relied upon, rendering the process unfair.