THUNDER BAY — Police Services Act charges against former city police chief Sylvie Hauth have officially been dismissed by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission following her retirement late last month.
Hauth was facing charges of discreditable conduct and deceit and a Police Service Act hearing was scheduled to be held in February 2023.
The OCPC released a ruling on Feb. 1, 2023 stating all charges against Hauth are dismissed due to a lack of jurisdiction because she was no longer employed as a police officer.
“On January 30, 2023, the applicant brought a written motion to quash the proceedings on the basis the Commission is without jurisdiction in light of the applicant’s resignation,” the ruling reads.
“The applicant’s resignation stopped the investigation process under s. 25(4) of the PSA, including the hearing, immediately and the Commission has no jurisdiction to conduct the hearing or deliver a decision on its merits.”
Hauth originally announced in June 2022 that she intended to retire as chief of police in June 2023. The same day, the OCPC announced Hauth would be subject to misconduct hearings under the Police Services Act but she stated she was unaware of the notice of hearing prior to releasing her plans to retire.
In early January 2023, Hauth announced her retirement would take effect Jan. 27, 2023, less than two weeks from the tentative start date of the Police Service Act hearing scheduled to begin on Feb. 6, 2023.
The charges against Hauth involved her role in an investigation the police service initiated against Thunder Bay Police Services Board member Georjann Morriseau over breach of trust, related to allegations she shared confidential information with a police officer.
According to the OCPC, Hauth was aware of the investigation but stated in a confidential memo on Oct. 12, 2021 that "it would not be appropriate for a police service to investigate any of its members or board members.”
Hauth served as chief of the Thunder Bay Police Service since 2018 following 30 years with the service.
