Sault Ste. Marie Police Review Inappropriate Comments from Roast

An audio recording from a private comedy roast held by members of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service nearly six years ago has prompted an internal review. The recording reportedly contains content deemed “inappropriate and inconsistent” with the department’s values, according to spokesperson Lincoln Louttit. The event is believed to have taken place in 2017 during the Christmas season.

Louttit clarified that the roast was organized by officers, not the police service itself, and declined to specify the nature of the comments that raised concerns. He also did not disclose how many individuals contributed to the objectionable remarks, stating, “We’re not going to get into what was referenced.”

The department has not released information regarding the attendance of the gathering, including whether both uniformed officers and civilian personnel were present. Any disciplinary measures would only be disclosed if a member faced criminal charges or there was a hearing under the Community Policing and Safety Act. Otherwise, any consequences would be managed internally, with Louttit indicating that it is “way too early to get into that kind of stuff.”

Ongoing Review of the Recording

The approximately 30-minute recording was received by Louttit on a recent Tuesday and is currently under review by senior leadership. Louttit noted that it remains unclear how long this analysis will take, emphasizing, “I don’t think there’s a timeline on it at this point.”

The police service has publicly stated its commitment to thoroughly examining the situation. Despite the absence of formal complaints regarding the comments, which were reportedly recorded without consent, the department is focused on maintaining its standards of professionalism. “We are committed to ongoing improvement to advance our mandate to provide professional, integrity-based and unbiased policing to the community,” reads the department’s official release.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service has recently strengthened its policies concerning workplace violence, discrimination, and harassment. Training related to workplace harassment has also been enhanced, with Louttit noting that department members are informed of policy updates to ensure compliance. “Policies are a way of providing guidance for members on how to conduct themselves or how to do their jobs,” he added.

Community Engagement Efforts

In recent years, the police department has actively sought to strengthen its ties with various community organizations, including Sault Pride and the African Caribbean Canadian Association of Northern Ontario. The department has participated in events such as Black History Month to foster better relationships within the community.

As the review continues, the focus remains on ensuring that the department upholds its values and maintains the trust of the community it serves. Further updates will be provided as the situation evolves and more information becomes available.