Preferential treatment for officer’s son probed

Mayor urges a complaint so internal police investigation can go public

Windsor police have launched an internal investigation into preferential treatment given to a police officer’s son during his sentencing hearing in Superior Court this week, says the city’s mayor.

Mayor Drew Dilkens, who is also chairman of the Windsor Police Services Board, said Friday he wants a member of the public to complain so the results of the investigation can be released.

“We certainly encourage anyone who has a complaint to make it,” he said. “We welcome those complaints.”

David (DJ) Cassady, whose father recently retired as a Windsor police inspector and whose stepmother is also on the force, had a three-day sentencing hearing this week in Superior Court. Cassady, 24, pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing the July 28, 2015 death of motorcyclist Donald Russell, 66. Cassady, who had been drinking, was driving 190 kilometres per hour while texting on E.C. Row Expressway when he ran into Russell from behind.

Cassady was ushered in and out of the courthouse through doorways not accessible to the public. Unlike the victim’s family — including Russell’s widow who uses a wheelchair — Cassady was not made go through the security checkpoint at the front of the courthouse where a metal detector and searches of bags take place.

“That behaviour wasn’t acceptable,” Dilkens said Friday. “It should never have happened.”

Windsor police officers are responsible for courthouse security.

Dilkens said police Chief Al Frederick sent an email to members of the Police Services Board explaining he had launched an internal investigation. “As soon as he was made aware of it, he acted immediately,” Dilkens said.

In earlier interviews, Frederick said the Police Act prevents him from making internal investigations public. Complaints from the public, however, result in hearings that are “transparent.”