'You're not supposed to appear in uniform at a public meeting like that': Planning, research consultant
London Police Service Chief Steve Williams says an investigation is being conducted after a member of the police service appeared at City Hall in uniform to express opposition to a proposed development.
Dozens were on hand at the Planning and Environment Committee meeting Monday afternoon to voice opposition to a proposal that would see two, five-unit townhouse buildings constructed at 489 Upper Queen St., a location previously occupied by a single home.
At one point, the officer in full uniform except for a hat, stepped up to the microphone to express her concerns.
"I couldn't help but be outside the other day looking at that area and thinking about the box that is going to be staring down at me in my backyard if this moves forward," stated the officer.
AJ Wray was watching the meeting online and admits being taken aback when the officer stepped to the microphone.
"I had to check that that officer was actually trying to make a public comment and wasn't just there to provide security for the meeting," Wray told CTV News.
He researches and consults on planning issues and has a particular interest in infill developments, like the one proposed for Upper Queen.
(Source: @WrayAJ/Twitter)When he recognized that the officer was in fact speaking out against the project, Wray took to social media, citing the Police Services Act and posting on Twitter, "You do not get to appear in uniform at a City Hall public participation meeting about a development application."
Still speaking to CTV News, Wray said, "Whether you're a police officer, a firefighter, or a paramedic, you're not supposed to appear in uniform at a public meeting like that."
After being contacted by CTV News, Chief Steve Williams issued a statement on social media that said, "This morning I became aware of a uniformed [London police] officer alleged to have attended City Hall yesterday providing personal views relative to a development application. Views expressed by the officer do not reflect the views of the LPS. The LPS has taken no official position relative to this application. I have directed an investigation into the conduct of the officer. The investigation will be conducted and information will be released as able in accordance with applicable legislation."
A request was made for further comment but to this point, that request has been declined.
Wray said it's important for those who wear a uniform to understand what that uniform may symbolize for others.
"People are afraid to be in front of police at certain occasions. They're made uncomfortable by police. We also know that police hold a significant amount of power and trust." He continued, "She is entitled to share her views, it is her property and she's nearby, but appearing in that uniform and giving that credibility to those comments can be quite intimidating."
Wray admitted there are times when police officers will appear in uniform to make deputations, like during budget proceedings related to the service or providing information to identify potential traffic safety concerns arising from a development.
In this case, Wray is not looking for serious repercussions. He believes this simply needs to be a matter of education, "...and an assurance that frontline officers are aware of their responsibilities under the [Police Services] Act and that they can't just appear in front of a public meeting and make statements."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
One dead, six remain missing as police search for victims of fire in Old Montreal
One person has been confirmed dead and six people remain missing as police continue to search for victims after a fire swept through a building in Old Montreal on Thursday.

Woman suing Tim Hortons for $500K after hot tea spill left her 'disfigured'
An Ontario woman has launched a lawsuit seeking $500,000 from Tim Hortons after she suffered major burns from an alleged ‘superheated’ tea. The company has denied all allegations and said she was ‘the author of her own misfortune.'
5 Connecticut children dead after crash in New York
Five children from Connecticut, ranging in age from 8 to 17, were killed in a fiery early morning crash Sunday on a New York highway, police said.
Poilievre calling for national standardized test to license doctors, nurses trained outside of Canada
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling for a national standardized testing process to be created in order to speed up the licensing process for doctors and nurses who are either immigrants or were trained abroad.
Trails of human bacteria from sneezing and coughing preserved on Mount Everest: study
Even at one of the tallest natural peaks on Earth, humans have left their mark in a trail of bacteria as researchers have found germs from coughing and sneezing that have been potentially preserved for centuries on Mount Everest.
Putin's world just got a lot smaller with the ICC's arrest warrant
President Vladimir Putin always relished his global outings, burnishing his image as one of the big guns running the world but with the International Criminal Court's war crimes charges against him, Putin's world just got smaller.
Possibility of Trump's arrest builds sympathy among his supporters
The possibility that Donald Trump may be charged for allegedly covering up hush money payments to a porn star during his 2016 campaign is garnering sympathy for the Republican former president, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu said on Sunday.
'Who, if not us, should stop them?': The stories of Ukrainian women on the front lines
A Ukrainian charity tells CTVNews.ca how women on the front lines of the war in Ukraine do not have proper equipment and are struggling with the realities of being in a conflict zone. Here are their stories.
North Korea: Latest missile simulated nuclear counterattack
North Korea said Monday it simulated a nuclear attack on South Korea with a ballistic missile launch over the weekend that was its fifth missile demonstration this month to protest the largest joint military exercises in years between the U.S. and South Korea.