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Police officer's appeal of insubordination findings for refusing to shave beard dismissed; order was lawful.
The appellant, a police officer, appealed three findings of insubordination for refusing to shave his beard in violation of a police services board by-law and a standing order of the Chief of Police.
The appellant argued the policy was unreasonable and therefore not a lawful order.
The Ontario Civilian Police Commission dismissed the appeal, holding that the board had the statutory authority to establish policies regarding personal appearance, making the order lawful.
The Commission distinguished between labour relations matters and police discipline, concluding that the appellant's refusal to obey the lawful order constituted insubordination.
