Windsor police officer receives promotion despite speeding ticket

Open in full screen mode

Jason Crowley was superintendent of the Windsor Police Service during the Ambassador Bridge blockade. (Archive photo)

Radio-Canada

The interim deputy chief of the Windsor Police Service is confirmed in his duties, despite a speeding fine he received earlier this year.

The Windsor Police Services Board has named Jason Crowley as its permanent deputy chief. Another officer, Karel DeGraaf, was named acting deputy chief of operational support for a six-month term.

These appointments represent a big step forward for the Windsor Police Service, ensuring a strong and dynamic leadership team as it takes on internal matters and continues to serve the community with dedication and integrity, we can read in a statement from the Commission.

Jason Crowley had served as permanent deputy chief since May 2022. He was arrested on January 7 for driving 70 mph in a 70 mph zone in Amherstburg.

He was initially charged with dangerous driving, but pleaded May 15 to a lesser charge of speeding. His fine is $287 plus court costs, for a total of $352.

A charge of dangerous driving for going at least 40 km/h over the 80 km/h limit generally results in an immediate suspension of the driver's license for 30 days, impoundment of the vehicle for 14 days and a minimum fine of $2000.

Mr. Crowley's license was not suspended and his vehicle was not impounded. p>

According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr. Crowley has been a member of the Windsor Police Service for 30 years and has held positions ranging from Staff Sergeant in the Emergency Services Division to Critical Incident Commander.

Jason Crowley was one of the last two candidates interviewed for the position, says Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue and member of the Windsor Police Services Board.

The other candidate was from outside Windsor and was not as well known, but had also been interviewed by the Commission, Prue said.

If the courts determined that he was only liable to a fine, the ;case has been resolved.

A quote from Michael Prue, Mayor of Amherstburg

Asked by CBC News whether Mr. Crowley's appointment sent the message that a high-ranking officer could be charged with dangerous driving and receive a promotion, Mr. Prue said both things did not. x27;were not comparable.

I am not aware of what he said in court, nor of the agreement concluded, nor what the judge decided, but I know that the judge felt that what he did would only earn him a fine.

Open full screen

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens and Windsor Police Service Deputy Chief Jason Crowley.< /p>

As for the court of public opinion… I hope some people have learned a lesson from this case, because even a high-ranking police officer can't get away with that. They are liable to arrest, court appearance and fine. And I hope the public will learn it too.

The next meeting of the Windsor Police Services Board will be on October 26.

Based on information from CBC News