Cox: Senseless death of OPP Const. Grzegorz Pierzchala shows need for bail reform

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The Dec. 27th killing of OPP Const. Grzegorz Pierzchala, the fifth on-duty death for Canadian law enforcement since September, brings emotions ranging from anger to sadness, frustration to determination. Five police officers were killed, four by gunfire, each while serving their communities.

On the day he was killed near Hagersville in southwestern Ontario, Const. Pierzchala celebrated the completion of his probationary period. This is a milestone moment no officer will forget. It signifies that you finally possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be out on your own.

Greg was killed while responding to check on a vehicle that appeared to need assistance. Imagine how many police officers and citizens in Ontario have stopped at similar situations in the last few weeks. It was just another routine call, like so many received daily across our country.

Imagine a 28-year-old police officer, just starting his career. Would Greg have become a detective, a commissioner, a beloved community officer or even a police association leader? Would Greg have coached your son or daughter’s soccer or hockey team like so many officers do? Would he have kids of his own? We will never know and are left grieving about his life cut short.

Const. Pierzchala’s death, like every line-of-duty death, is unquestionably senseless. The accused in this killing was released on bail, despite a long-standing weapons prohibition and a recent assault on a police officer. We are angry that the judicial system, meant to protect society, repeatedly puts victims, police and members of the community at risk. We are frustrated with the frequency of contacts we have with violent criminals that are released into our communities. As police officers, we feel helpless when informing victims that violent offenders have been released on bail.

As president of the Ottawa Police Association, I worry that our members are exposed to these unnecessary risks. Leaders across the policing community must push for changes to avoid these senseless tragedies. The judiciary must become stricter in how it determines suitability for release into the community. Weapons offences and violent crimes against law enforcement officers must require mandatory custody pending trial.

We will gather this week to celebrate the life of Const. Pierzchala, to honour him and imagine what he might have become. I am calling on all levels of government to prevent such senseless deaths through bail reform now. Let’s not wait for another death of an officer, friend, child, colleague, or neighbour. Greg was all of these and will not be forgotten.

Matthew Cox is president of the Ottawa Police Association.