Bureau clarifies police board comments

Screenshot of Cobourg Police Board Chair Adam Bureau

By: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

Adam Bureau will stay as Chair of the Cobourg Police Services Board, after being asked to resign Tuesday when questioned by a fellow Board member on disclosing information in a closed session vote.

Last month Bureau was asked how the vote to hire new Police Chief Chris Leather resulted, whether it was a split vote or a unanimous vote. Bureau stated the Board “supports” the hire.

When questioned by Board Member Ron Kerr Tuesday at the Police Board meeting, whether Bureau’s characterization of the confidential vote was unanimous as reported, Bureau admitted twice it was.

“It was suggested that I had characterized the Board’s decision as unanimous when the vote itself was not unanimous. My intention was to convey that the Board was united in supporting the successful candidate and committed to working together following the completion of the recruitment process,” Bureau said in a prepared statement Wednesday. “At no time was it my intention to disclose confidential information or undermine the integrity of the recruitment process.”

Kerr, accused Bureau of revealing closed session, confidential information and, “committed a disservice to the board, broke protocol."

Kerr said Bureau should step down, however that idea was not supported by other Board members. Bureau clarified that the Board vote of hiring Leather was split with Kerr and member Dean Pepper voting against.