Cobourg’s police force is facing mounting public scrutiny, as crime, open-air drug use, and encampments continue to disrupt the community. The pressure reached new heights on November 2nd when a letter was allegedly leaked to local media, Today’s Northumberland, making shocking claims about the inner workings of the Cobourg Police Service (CPS).
The letter, reportedly from a member of the CPS management team, accuses the force of unethical practices, illegal activities, and a pervasive culture of racism and sexism. The writer claims the service is plagued by "cronyism over merit" and "a culture of fear and misconduct," with morale at an all-time low and approximately 20% of the workforce on mental health leave.
The letter also highlights troubling claims of financial mismanagement during search warrant executions, the lack of body cameras, and misuse of police resources to surveil fellow officers. These concerns were allegedly raised by constables at a meeting last year, but were reportedly dismissed by both the Chief and Deputy Chief. With trust eroding within the force and the community at large, the anonymous writer is calling for an independent investigation into the "troubling dynamics" within CPS.
In response to the letter, the Cobourg Police Board issued a statement pointing residents to the proper channels for complaints and referred the letter to the Inspectorate of Policing for review. However, such investigations can take months or even years, leaving the community in limbo.
Two days later, on November 7th, Chief Paul VandeGraaf hosted a Community Town Hall to address concerns from residents. The Chief acknowledged the strain on officers but offered unclear solutions on addressing long-standing paid leave issues and restoring full capacity, apart from asking for budget increases.
Throughout the evening, residents shared harrowing stories of living near drug-infested rental properties and disorderly encampments. One woman recounted how vagrants had invaded her home, stealing her bike, using her bathroom, and even threatening her safety.
Despite the concerns raised, the Chief’s message remained focused on a proactive approach to tackling crime and encampments in the community. He pledged to take a firm stand against crime, particularly in the face of growing drug use and the radical activists attempting to normalize this behaviour.
At the end of the night, several attendees were less than reassured by the Chief’s promises. With the situation in Cobourg deteriorating, many are left wondering whether these pledges will translate into real action, or if the problems will continue to fester in the absence of meaningful change.
