The Belleville Police Service will “not arbitrarily stop any pedestrian or motorist.”
Those are some of first words of a brief statement from Chief of Police Mike Callaghan Saturday afternoon, referring to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The Chief was reacting to new legislation announced Friday by the provincial government giving police powers to stop and question people about what their address is and why they are moving about outside their homes during this latest stay-at-home and state of emergency situation brought on by alarming increases of COVID-19 cases.
However, Chief Callaghan says the police service, and all others, are still awaiting the detailed legislation.
“When we have had the opportunity to review the new legislation the Belleville Police Service will make further comment.”
The Chief says local residents have been good about following COVID rules all along and commends them for doing so.
Later Saturday afternoon the Cobourg Police Service made a similar statement.
