Complaints against Greater Sudbury Police up in 2014

Complaints are up against Greater Sudbury Police, according to figures released at Thursday'spolice services board meeting.

A total of 12 more complaints were filed in 2014 than the year before.

As with any communication, it's just a breakdown in communication that can be straightened out.- Sudbury Police Chief Paul Pedersen

Greater Sudbury Police superintendent Sheilah Weber saidthree of the 44 complaints police received last year remain unresolved. But the rest of beenwithdrawn, resolved, found to be unsubstantiated or thrown out.

Chief Paul Pedersen said that's because sometimes there are misunderstandings between the public and police.

"As with any communication, it's just a breakdown in communication that can be straightened out."

Last year, 13 complaintshad to do with incivility, oflack of good manners, and 12 complaintshad to do with discreditable conduct.

Pedersen said it was coincidental that the police board was talking about complaints and investigations so soon after a Sudbury police constable was charged with assault.

"It's just a good time to talk about openness and transparency," he said.

He noted police present a topic to the police services board every month. This just happens to be the month they present the board with statistics aboutcomplaints and investigations.

Morning North4:19Sudbury Police Board: Gerry Lougheed Jr/Use of force

The investigation into bribery allegations against Gerry Lougheed Jr came up at the last Greater Sudbury police board meeting, a meeting he chaired. The board also discussed how police use force. We have audio of some of the questions that came up.