THUNDER BAY -- A five-year member of the Thunder Bay Police Services Board has announced his resignation, hours before the Ontario Civilian Police Commission's review of the board is to be publicly released.
Don Smith, who had been on the board since 2013 and earlier this month was reappointed as the city's citizen representative, on Friday said he has decided to step down after reviewing the report by Senator Murray Sinclair.
CBC News on Thursday reported that Sinclair will be recommending for the board to be disbanded for one year.
Smith said while he doesn't "totally agree with all of the findings in the report," he must do what he believes is in the best interest of the police service and the board.
"I have served the citizens of Thunder Bay for the past five years with the mindset of doing what is best for all of the citizens of this community," Smith said in a statement. "I recognize that there are significant trust issues between some First Nation communities and the Thunder Bay Police Service and as a member of the board I supported any initiative to improve that relationship as my record on the board demonstrates."
Smith, who had been acclaimed as vice chair of the new board, said while he felt he could continue to serve on the board, the decision to step down effective immediately had to be made.
"It would be a distraction to the work that (police chief Sylvie) Hauth and the board are about to do to implement many of the recommendations of these reports and that a prolonged debate and legal process with the OCPC and NAN to continue to serve is not in the best interest of the community, the board or the service," Smith said.
