Officials debate red-light camera penalties for police officers

CTV’s Bob Bellacicco looks into if police, fire and EMS are getting tickets from red-light cameras.

The Windsor Police Association is frustrated by concerns that officers are being penalized for red-light camera violations regardless of the information provided about the infraction.

“It’s a point of contention,” said union president Kent Rice.

He says officers are frustrated by what they see as a lack of fairness in how the system operates.

“All we’ve asked for is that a fair review process is put in place,” Rice said. “At this current time, we don’t have a fair review process. The police service just automatically pays the infraction. That’s regardless of what the information was said about red lights being on or anything like that. And so the misnomer that, hey, the red lights were on and the emergency sirens and they’re traveling through it, they will not be issued a violation. That’s incorrect.”

Rice said officers are being docked pay - six hours for the first offense, twelve for the second and the infraction can stay on their record for two years, affecting promotions and preferred jobs.

“The service pays the offense violation immediately and eliminates them having due process,” he said. “They’re robbed of that fundamental.”

Police Chief Jason Crowley acknowledged officers are getting ticketed, but pointed out only four tickets were issued last year.

“We have an 83 per cent reduction since the red-light cameras have come into effect in 2022,” Crowley said.

He pointed to the Highway Traffic Act, which states emergency vehicles must be responding to an emergency, come to a complete stop before proceeding through the intersection and must have their emergency lighting and sirens activated proceed when it’s safe.

“If they don’t do any of that — particularly the stopping part — they’re going to get a ticket for it. It’s as simple as that,” Crowley said. “This law is about public safety and looking out for the community.”

Crowley added that the department’s average priority one response time is between seven and eight minutes, calling it “outstanding.” He told officers, “If we abide by what the law lays out for us, we will not get a ticket, so please just stop. It takes two seconds for everyone’s safety. Stop and then proceed to the call.”

Mayor Drew Dilkens, who also chairs the Windsor Police Services Board, said reports suggesting officers are being automatically punished are inaccurate.

“This isn’t a wholesale charging of every officer who’s responding to a 911 call and goes through a red-light camera. They don’t automatically get points or some sort of punishment in the system,” he said.

Dilkens added that every incident is reviewed with supporting data. “There are robust processes in place,” he said. “No one at the police service is looking to go out and be punitive to the officers who are doing their jobs.”

While the union continues to call for a clearer review process, both the police chief and mayor maintain that current procedures fairly balance accountability, officer safety, and public safety.