#WeBelieveYouJaime Fundraiser
We need your help. Our friend Jaime is a survivor of assault, harassment, bullying, and systemic sexism at Sarnia Police Services. We are fundraising to make Sarnians aware of the injustices happening at Sarnia Police Services, and to demand change through local media campaigns.
Jaime reported this mistreatment in January 2020, and Windsor Police were brought in as third-party investigators. Originally, Windsor Police stated “reasonable grounds have been satisfied that Dwayne Whelpley committed the offences of Assault and Criminal Harassment.” Following consultation with the Crown attorney, they stated there was “no prospect of conviction”. Jaime indicated she did not want the officer to be charged criminally, but for SPS to correct the problems within the service.
Since May 2020, Jaime has been on leave without pay, as SPS refuses to ensure a safe workplace for her to return to. The perpetrator of assault and harassment continues to work at SPS, be paid, and have access to weapons.
On February 2nd of 2021, a media release stated that third party investigators saw no assault, no harassment, acknowledged a toxic workplace, and dismissed the allegations as “gossip”. This investigation directly contradicts the earlier findings that the assault did happen. Moreover, the investigators did not contact witnesses and other victims provided by Jaime herself.
The Police Services Board has been unsupportive to Jaime. The Chair of the Police Board is Mayor Mike Bradley, who has himself been the perpetrator of workplace harassment to at least four women, as found in 2016. While Mayor Bradley continues to deny accountability, how can survivors expect to be taken seriously by the Police Services Board?
#WeBelieveYouJaime because as said in the first report by Windsor Police, “Despite the threshold of Reasonable Grounds being met for charges of Assault and Criminal Harassment, it is recommended that criminal proceedings not be initiated,” describing no prospect for conviction. Sarnia Police Services knows the assault and harassment happened. Why are they denying this now?
We demand that the allegations be investigated fully and thoroughly because #WeBelieveYouJaime. We need to demand more of our systems that continue to fail us and harm our community members. Thank you for reading and thank you for your help.