Harsh' penalty upheld for Ontario cop who gave Freedom Convoy $50

WINDSOR – The Ontario Civilian Police Commission has dismissed a Windsor police officer’s appeal of a disciplinary conviction and “harsh” penalty levied by his employer for a $50 Freedom Convoy donation made in 2022.

Const. Michael Brisco was found guilty of discreditable conduct following a four-day hearing last March. He was ordered to forfeit 80 hours of pay.

The OCPC, an independent, quasi-judicial agency whose function includes hearing appeals of disciplinary decisions, agreed the penalty was “significant” but not unreasonable.

The appellant raised three issues, which were heard last Nov. 21, alleging: no “clear and compelling evidence” of discreditable conduct; the investigation of the donation was an abuse of process; and the penalty was “unreasonable and unduly harsh.”