Sarnia’s police chief, currently under suspension, is now the subject of a criminal investigation following allegations lodged in a complaint by a local business owner and former city council member. Ontario’s Inspectorate of Policing forwarded the complaint to York Regional Police, an external law enforcement agency, based on the belief that the reported incidents could potentially constitute criminal offenses.
A spokesperson from the York Regional Police confirmed that the investigation is active and ongoing but refrained from disclosing further details. The probe was initiated after Nathan Colquhoun filed a complaint earlier this year, citing concerns about Chief Derek Davis’ hiring practices and involvement in private consulting activities.
In an email to CBC News, Colquhoun stated, “It pertained to the behavior of Chief Derek Davis.” He also alleged that Davis misused public resources in sending libel notices to The Sarnia Journal. Earlier in the year, Davis initiated, then retracted, a $1.5 million defamation lawsuit against Colquhoun and his local media outlet.
Davis, appointed as chief in 2022, had been placed on paid suspension in May while an external law firm probed allegations of workplace harassment. Despite attempts by CBC News to contact Davis for comment, he could not be reached.
Kelly Ash, the Chair of the Sarnia Police Services Board, acknowledged the public’s frustration in a recent social media post. However, she declined to comment or provide further details on the criminal aspect of the case in an email to CBC News.
Efforts to obtain a copy of the complaint and supporting documents from Colquhoun are currently underway. Meanwhile, Toronto’s former Deputy Police Chief Mike Federico is fulfilling the role of interim chief for the Sarnia police service during Davis’s suspension.