Const. Michael Brisco has lost his appeal with the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) and will now be subjected to 80 hours of work without pay for the offence of discreditable conduct for his $50 donation to the Freedom Convoy.

One point that had been promoted by Superintendent (Retired) Morris Elbers during the initial hearing was that the donation had been made at a time when Const. Brisco knew the convoy was being touted as an unlawful event; the implication being that he knowingly contributed to an illegal activity.

It’s worth noting however, that his donation was made on February 7th, the very same day that Justice McLean of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice had ruled that, as long as the terms of the order were observed, “the Defendants and other persons (in the convoy) remain at liberty to engage in this peaceful, lawful and safe protest.”

Therefore, despite their attempts to portray the convoy as illegal, it had in fact been deemed a lawful event within the rights of the citizens.

Regardless of these facts, Justice Elbers found him guilty of discreditable conduct, applying a ‘significant’ and hefty punishment in an attempt to repair the damage to the public’s perception of the Windsor Police Service.

On appeal, the OCPC upheld his decision while refusing to acknowledge that the information used to make these accusations was obtained illegally; a fact that further paints the police in a negative light.

The OCPC stated they would only hear additional information in “exceptional circumstances”, which they determined did not apply in this situation.

On one hand, they endeavour to make an example of Const. Brisco in an effort to correct negative public opinions, while at the same time ignoring evidence of their own actions that further the same negative opinions.

It is with great disappointment that we acknowledge the injustice inflicted on Const. Brisco; enforcing significant financial damages and marring the service record of a respected police officer, all in an attempt to try to save the reputation of an agency already suffering an all-time low public opinion as a result of their own actions.