Acting head of OPP asks for investigation into hiring of new commissioner

TORONTO — The interim commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police is asking the province’s ombudsman to investigate the appointment of Premier Doug Ford’s family friend to the force’s top job. Brad Blair, who has been leading the force since November, filed a formal request on Tuesday “amid growing concerns of political interference” in the hiring process of Toronto police Supt. Ron Taverner.

In a letter to ombudsman Paul Dube, Blair says the hiring process has deeply affected the morale of rank and file officers. Blair says he wants to repair the apprehension of bias over the process and the potential damage to the reputation of the

OPP.