OPP interim commissioner Blair asks for review of Taverner’s appointment

TORONTO — The interim commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police is seeking a review of “potential political interference” in the appointment of Toronto police Supt. Ron Taverner, on Tuesday filing a formal letter of complaint requesting that Ontario’s ombudsman conduct a review.

The move comes less than a week before incoming commissioner Taverner is scheduled to be sworn in as the head of one of the largest police services in North America.

In a lengthy letter to Ontario ombudsman Paul Dubé, interim OPP commissioner Brad Blair asks for Taverner’s installation to be delayed until a review of the application can be completed.

“Citing the objective of protecting the credibility and perceived independence of the OPP, Commissioner Blair, in his capacity as Commissioner of the OPP and in his personal capacity, is seeking a review so that the current level of public anxiety and concern may be addressed,” according to a news release sent on behalf of Blair late Tuesday night.

Blair was named interim commissioner by the Progressive Conservative government, via an October order in council, and he also applied for chief commissioner posting.

The letter raises concerns about changes made to the job posting for the job, saying they were “changed without convincing justification.”

The letter also alleges that the hiring panel had “questionable authority.”