Editor’s Note: Constable Todd Bennett has taken down his social media posts and has since apologized, stating he did not mean to offend anyone
Belleville Police Chief Ron Gignac has responded to our request for comment on the social media firestorm surrounding Constable Todd Bennett. CLICK HERE FOR PREVIOUS STORY
BELOW IS THE STATEMENT FROM CHIEF GIGNAC
I know that you know- that our officers and staff here in Belleville serve this Region with honor and sacrifice every day and night. One isolated post from 47 weeks ago does not represent the hundreds of thousands of events and instances where Belleville police officers have kept this community safe over the past year. We work tirelessly to serve with distinction to keep this community safe. I wish I could have media really know the hearts and minds of my people here and the work that’s being done behind the scenes and out of the limelight for our City.
I remind folks from time to time that our constitution and charter of rights and freedoms also guarantees the rights and freedoms of speech and expression even if we vehemently disagree on what is said or expressed. We have an internal accountability matrix and policies and procedures that must adhere to the Police services act of Ontario and the rule of case law, and legal requirements. The matter in question is dealt with according to the legal frameworks that I have to abide within and by. I am unable to comment upon any specifics about Constable Bennett, just as I cannot comment upon specifics of investigations or personal matters of members of the public. It’s the same as the college of surgeons and physicians— they cannot release the specifics of any internal processes, or comment upon personal privacy matters as it relates to their membership. Constable Bennett has also served the citizens of Belleville as a police officer and volunteer in our City for 29 years. He has also done many good things for others and saved lives in that time span.
Thus far in the United States there have been multiple police officers murdered in these riots and looting. Anarchists, authority haters, and police haters send us mail every day. We must be careful not to give these groups hero status, or a platform to spew their negativity and hatred, as they are unfortunately mixed in with lawful protesters and peaceful people wanting to make change and make our World and Country a better place.
As a metis from the metis nation of Ontario, I have a family background of Metis, (Ojibway/French, OjiCree/ Irish), and Hungarian. Wow—-what a mixed bag eh! Growing up, I knew what it felt like to be discriminated upon. At times, it was almost dehumanizing because I looked like an “Indian”. There were times throughout school and as a teen when I would be assaulted and had to fight back, was ganged up on, called a wagon burner, injun, redskin, half breed, and a host of other expletives. I do have an understanding of racial profiling from personal experiences. That said, I understand that we do not live in a perfect world, and there are no perfect people in our world- and you cannot let what’s being said or done to you by others define who you are and what you desire to be in your life’s calling. I do not harbour resentment or hate for those people. I forgive them. I believe in second chances, and I believe that everyone deserves second chances, and opportunities to improve and be enlightened. People can change, and in many cases, with experience and a listening and discerning ear, we can all modify our stances and beliefs upon many things.
Since becoming Chief here in Belleville, and for many years prior- I have two important pictures hanging upon my wall. John F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. Everyone sees them when you first walk into my office. Under Martin Luther King Junior’s leadership for civil rights and President Kennedy’s leadership, massive strides were achieved for that great and important cause. It made the World a better place. Those marches under Martin Luther King Jr did not cause National looting, did not kill multiple police officers across the Country, and did not destroy businesses, and hundreds of millions of dollars of infrastructure, community, and personal property of hard working citizens like we are witnessing today in the USA.
In closing my personal message to you, I’ll refer to a parable in the Bible that I often think of and try to apply to many things when dealing with others (That’s why at every swearing in ceremony I run with Judge Hunter, you will hear me say- “Anyone can follow the letter of the law, but always try to apply the spirit of law when dealing with others: It teaches us to be slow to criticize, and to forgive others.
We know that we are held to a higher level of accountability than others as police officers, and strive to live up to that standard every day. At times, we all fail at that- that’s being human with vulnerabilities and shortfalls. We try and learn from our mistakes, improve, and move on to make things better.
And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
