Cobourg Mayor Cleveland responds to Police Board Chair’s critical statements about support for police officers

Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland. Photo by Dan Jones.

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

Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland is challenging Police Board Chair Adam Bureau to produce evidence that Cleveland is blaming rank-and-file officers for drug use and bail issues in the community.

“Our officers have been giving everything,” Bureau said Tuesday. “Still people are released again and again. We see individuals arrested dozens of times in a matter of months. Yet some, including our mayor, would have you believe this is solely a police failure. Let me be unequivocal every officer is a victim of a broken system. We arrest, they release, jails are full, courts have no choice. And still the blame is thrown on those who show up every day and risk their lives.”

Cleveland, the son of a retired police officer, said in a statement Wednesday that his issues are not with the front line officers, but with some members of the Police Board.

“To my knowledge I have always praised the rank-and-file members of our Towns force from the day I was elected to today,” he said. “Any issues I have had; have always centered very squarely around the Board of the Cobourg Police, certain members in particular. Not any members of the Force themselves.”

Cleveland has been vocal about the 2026 Cobourg Police budget. In November it was proposed for a 20.5 percent increase for this year, however the final number was 12.85 percent.

Cleveland is attributing this attack to electioneering as Bureau is contesting for Deputy Mayor and fellow Police Board member Nicole Beatty is running for Mayor, against Cleveland.

“I recently sent an email that included Mr. Bureau that was in praise of Prime Minister Carney and his government's changes around bail reform legislation. It is my sincere hope that these legislative changes around bail will begin to put an end to Mr. Bureau's referenced concern around multi-arrest releases,” Cleveland explained.

The Mayor has been a vocal opponent of language within the draft parks master plan, which discussed drug use and homelessness in public parks. A further debate is set for tonight.