Norfolk police board supports calls for bail reform

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Police need more resources to keep tabs on those released on bail after being charged with serious crimes, says a member of the Norfolk County Police Services Board.

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Speaking at a recent meeting of the board, Michael Cruse said bail reform is a complex issue.

But law enforcement needs money and resources to aggressively go after those who skip bail, Cruse said.

“Some of those people who skip bail are some of the most dangerous, serial offenders out there at this time,” Cruse said. “Police have to have the resources to make sure those offenders are abiding by their bail conditions.”

Cruse made the comments after George Santos, another board member, said Norfolk should add its voice to those calling for bail reform including the Ontario Police Services Board Association.

The association last year sent a letter to federal government officials calling for specific changes to legislation. Among other measures, the association wants bail hearings for those charged with the most serious firearms offences to be heard by an Ontario Court or Superior Court judge not a justice of the peace, Santos said.

“It’s my understanding that, unfortunately, this letter fell on deaf ears,” Santos said.

Support from Norfolk is especially important given the death of Haldimand County OPP Const. Greg Pierzchala on Dec. 27, 2022. Pierzchala was shot and killed while checking on a vehicle that had gone into a ditch just outside of Hagersville, Santos said.

The board held a moment of silence in memory of Pierzchala at the start of its Feb. 8 meeting.

Two people, Randall McKenzie, 25, of Kingston and Brandi Crystal Lyn Stewart-Sperry, 30, of Hamilton have been charged with first-degree murder in Pierzchala’s death. McKenzie was out on bail at the time of incident and the conditions of his release from custody required him to remain in his home and not possess any firearms.

Cruse agreed the Norfolk board should support the provincial association’s bail reform efforts.

But, concerns have been raised about how changes could impact members of the Black and Indigenous communities, those who are poor and those with mental health issues, Cruse said.

Santos said the federal government needs to take action because the public has lost confidence in the bail system noting that the death of Pierzchala was the breaking point for a lot of people.

Provincial leaders across Canada have also said the federal government must make some changes, Santos said.

Willy VanHeugten, another board member, said he strongly supports the work of the provincial association. He’s hoping the efforts of the association and others can bring about some positive change.

Kim Huffman, chair of the police services board, also spoke in favour of supporting the provincial association’s bail reform efforts.

But, like Cruse, Huffman said it is a complicated issue and previous reforms brought in by the federal government aim to protect the rights of society’s most marginalized citizens.

Still, “individuals who skip bail are often serial offenders and there needs to be something done in those cases,” Huffman said.

The board voted unanimously in favour of supporting the provincial association’s bail reform efforts.

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