Cobourg Police are not the problem says board chair

Photo by Cecilia Nasmith

By Cecilia Nasmith

Cobourg Police Services Board Chair Adam Bureau opened Tuesday's meeting with a staunch defence of that corps in the face of criticism that he feels is unwarranted.

“Our officers have been giving everything,” Bureau began.

“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,” he stated.

“We are a team, with the police board standing shoulder to shoulder behind every officer, every civilian, every resident.”

It's not about blame, Bureau continued.

“It's about partnership and building bridges with every community member, every charity, every service that can help us.

“We can't do this alone, but we are not backing down. This board and service stand behind each other 100%. We are a team that believes in every member.”

Bureau closed by citing their “collaboration, compassion and an unbreakable commitment to every person in this community.”

“It's frustrating, I get it,” Vice-Chair Sean Graham added.

Graham shared statistics on the value of street drugs taken off the street in 2025 – nearly double the 2024 figures.

“These are not statistics of a police service turning a blind eye to criminal activity,” he said.

“It indicates a law enforcement that has been actively identifying, investigating and disrupting criminal activity.”