Action against police board dismissed as no partnership existed with the OPP regarding seized property.
The plaintiff brought an action against the Hamilton Police Services Board (HPS) for damages arising from the seizure of his vehicles and car parts by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
The plaintiff alleged that the HPS was vicariously liable as a 'partner' of the OPP because an HPS detective assisted in examining the seized vehicles.
The Superior Court of Justice dismissed the action, finding no evidence of a partnership or joint investigation between the two police forces.
The court concluded that the OPP had exclusive control over the seizure and disposition of the property, and the HPS detective acted solely as an examiner.
Ramey v. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of the Province of Ontario and Hamilton Police Services Board, 2013 ONSC 4186