Barrie police Insp. Valarie Gates made her first appearance via Zoom this morning for a Police Services Act hearing in relation to one of the two discreditable conduct charges against her.
Gates was first charged in December 2023 with one charge of discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act, stemming from an alleged internal incident that happened while on duty. The second charge, according to police officials, was laid in early June. Both charges are related to the same series of events.
Retired OPP superintendent and chief adjudicator Greg Walton led Wednesday's brief meeting, which lasted four minutes.
Gates was represented by Joanne Mulcahy, who waived the reading of the notice of hearing on the record.
Jessica Barrow, who was on the call on behalf of the prosecution, told Walton that she and the defence team were unaware of which attorneys would be present on the call today, and therefore did not have the opportunity to speak to discuss next steps.
“I do have, in my possession now, some of the disclosure, although it’s the OPP’s practice not to transcribe the interviews so that process is ongoing at the moment,” said Barrow.
“I will be in a position to provide partial disclosure without those transcriptions very soon and then I will have to provide those transcriptions over time as they become available to my office.”
Barrow then suggested the matter be set aside for at least a month in order for that to happen, as well as to give herself and Mulcahy time to conduct whatever discussions they would need to have in the meantime regarding what happens next.
Barrie city police issued a news release on Dec. 1, 2023, indicating the first charge had been laid after an investigation was conducted by the OPP Office of Professionalism, Respect, Inclusion and Leadership.
The specific nature of the allegations against Gates remains unclear.
Police have said the charge falls under Section 2(1)(a)(xi) of the Police Services Act.
"An allegation of an on-duty internal incident was received by Barrie Police Deputy Chief R. Wyllie Allan earlier this year involved a 26-year officer of the service who holds the rank of inspector," stated the December 2023 news release. "After receiving the complaint, Deputy Chief Allan requested the assistance of the OPP to conduct the investigation."
“Our members are held to the highest standards of professionalism by the public, and our service, and as such, we take any allegation of misconduct very seriously," Allan said in the release.
"A request was made to the OPP to conduct a comprehensive investigation into these allegations, ensuring a transparent and impartial process. The Barrie Police Service recognizes that building and maintaining public trust is of critical importance," Allan added at the time.
Gates, who is married to Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston, has spent a large part of her policing career working in domestic violence, as well as in areas of mental health and child/youth advocacy.
The next hearing date has been scheduled for July 31 at 8:30 a.m. via teleconference.
Gates is also scheduled for a hearing on July 30 via teleconference in relation to the first discreditable conduct charge laid against her in December, according to the department’s Police Services Act – Tribunal Dates page on its website.
