Media Release WRPS, Police Services Board and WRPS Respond to Class Action Suit For Immediate Release: June 1, 2017 Waterloo Region, Ontario – On May 31, 2017, the Waterloo Regional Police Services Board and the Waterloo Regional Police Association were served a class action lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges systemic and institutional gender-based discrimination and harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault. “Some of the allegations attributed by the plaintiffs date back to 1988 and those have only just come to the attention of our Service,” said Bryan Larkin, Chief of Police. “Some were already the subject of an investigation by an independent law firm and dealt with appropriately.” While Chief Larkin and the Board take these allegations seriously, it’s important to note they remain allegations and have not been proven in a court of law. Our Service has progressive policies, procedures and training to ensure that any such allegations are dealt with in accordance with the law. Our lawyers will be first challenging the complete lack of jurisdiction to bring this claim and, if necessary, will be defending these allegations and challenging the certification of the class action. We take the position that the class action is inappropriate. The Police Services Act provides for a grievance/arbitration system pursuant to the collective agreement and would have been the appropriate means to deal with the allegations. In addition, one of the representative Plaintiffs was, until very recently, a member of senior leadership. People helping people Serving the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge and the Townships of Wilmot, Wellesley, Woolwich and North Dumfries Police Headquarters P.O. Box 3070 200 Maple Grove Road Cambridge, Ontario N3H 5M1 Fax: (519) 650-8551 Web: www.wrps.on.ca North Division 45 Columbia Street East Waterloo, Ontario (519) 650-8500 ext. 6397 The Waterloo Regional Police Service does not condone or tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment in the workplace. Central Division 134 Frederick Street Kitchener, Ontario (519) 650-8500 ext. 4497 “The Waterloo Regional Police Services Board has shown its continued commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity,” said Tom Galloway, Chair of the Board. “Our Service has recently developed several initiatives aimed at highlighting women in leadership, recruiting and mentorship.” South Division 176 Hespeler Road Cambridge, Ontario (519) 650-8500 ext. 2298 Equally, the Waterloo Regional Police Association, the exclusive bargaining agent and advocate for its membership, takes all matters of harassment and/or discrimination seriously. “Harassment and discrimination, in any capacity in our community, is inappropriate and unacceptable in the past or present,” said Chief Larkin. Release #NR17-025 Date and time released: June 1, 2017, 11:15 a.m. Incident # 17-19 The information contained herein is intended for the named recipient only and is confidential. If you receive it in error, please notify us immediately by telephone and return this document by mail. Unauthorized dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Rural Division North Building 13 Industrial Drive Elmira, Ontario (519) 650-8500 ext. 3319 Rural Division South Building 34 Peel Street New Hamburg, Ontario (519) 650-8500 ext. 4423 Due to the fact that this matter is now before a court of law, we will be making no further comment. We will continue to work together with our members and the public to provide a safe and vibrant community. Media Inquiries: Inspector Mike Haffner Executive Office Waterloo Regional Police Service Michael.Haffner@wrps.on.ca (519) 650-8500 ext. 8713 Cherri Greeno, Media Relations Coordinator Waterloo Regional Police Service Cherri.Greeno@wrps.on.ca (519) 650-8500 ext. 8773 Release #NR17-025 Date and time released: June 1, 2017, 11:15 a.m. Incident # 17-19 The information contained herein is intended for the named recipient only and is confidential. If you receive it in error, please notify us immediately by telephone and return this document by mail. Unauthorized dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.