Hearing begins for Windsor police officer who allegedly donated to Freedom Convoy
The police services act hearing for a Windsor Police Officer accused of discreditable conduct began Monday.
Const. Michael Jason Brisco was one of two uniformed officers to face the charge after a leaked list of donors to the cause listed his name.
In an audio clip played for the hearing, Brisco confirms he made the donation - but questioned if it’s within the rights of an officer to protest as a civilian.
Brisco was on unpaid leave when he made the donation by credit card in February 2022 - a leave he was placed on the previous November for refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as per Windsor Police Service policy.
Monday’s start to the hearing, which is slated to span three days, saw testimony by Sgt Leah McFadden, with the WPS Professional Standards Branch.
McFadden told the hearing it was Ontario Provincial Police who flagged Brisco’s name on the donor list.
She stated that she was told OPP obtained the list on Feb. 16 from a third party after it was leaked when the GiveSendGo platform was hacked. An investigator was then tasked with looking through the list for any police officers.
Brisco was one of two uniformed Windsor Police Officers to appear, along with a third civilian employee of WPS.
A “Chiefs complaint” was then initiated, and McFadden was tasked with notifying Brisco.
She said she tried to make contact with him by phone twice in the first week of April, but when she didn’t hear back she sent Brisco a notice via Puralator.
Her notes indicate he called her April 12 and they later met for a recorded interview.
In the audio recording, Brisco can be heard confirming that he donated “about $50” to support protestors in Ottawa - though he stopped short of identifying his donation as going to the “Freedom Convoy.”
In the recording he expressed concern that his information had been compromised in the hack of the GiveSendGo website and also asked if a police officer is entitled to protest as a private citizen — to which McFadden could be heard saying yes, so long as that protest is legal in nature.
Through the recording and questioning by the prosecution at Monday’s hearing, McFadden makes clear that the Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa was considered illegal as of February 4, when then Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly classifies it as “dangerous and volatile,” and when Ontario Premier Doug ford began characterizing it as an occupation.
Also at that time, Sloly stated funding like that sent through online platforms was enabling “unlawful activities.”
Brisco’s donation came through four days later, on Feb. 8, 2022.
In the recording of his interview with McFadden, Brisco states he believed he had done no wrong as he was supporting a cause he believed in as a private citizen — and that he’d done so based on belief a judge had deemed the protest lawful in judgement granting an injunction limiting the use of horns within Ottawa.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.