Cobourg Police Board Chair Adam Bureau asked to resign as Chair
Screenshot of Cobourg Police Board Chair Adam Bureau.
By: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.
Cobourg Police Board Chair Adam Bureau was asked by a fellow Board member Tuesday morning to step down after giving false information about the hiring process of new police Chief Chris Leather.
Ron Kerr, alleged that Bureau broke the confidence of the board by disclosing information contained in a closed session, in how board members voted on hiring Leather.
In late May, Bureau in an interview with Northumberland 89.7 FM, said that the board was unanimous, when in fact, several board members were not in favour of the hiring.
“You have to realize there are people that did not support Chief Leather’s appointment,” said Kerr during the Police Board meeting.
Kerr explained that when initially asked by the public how he voted, he said no comment as to protect the confidentiality of closed session activities. However he said when Bureau disclosed the vote, he committed a disservice to the board, broke protocol and should be stepping down.
Bureau admitted to saying the board voted unanimously, but that was done prior to the minutes of the special meeting being released.
It's not clear when the Board voted to hire Leather, but two special police board meetings were held in May.
Kerr had a motion to have Bureau step down, however no other member seconded the motion and did not proceed.
Bureau stated that both Kerr and board member Dean Pepper voted no on Leather’s hiring.
