Gananoque Police Service Board

Decision INV 24-34: Inspector General finds misconduct by Gananoque Police Service Board member

An investigation into a complaint alleged that Gananoque Police Service Board member John Beddows disclosed confidential information from closed board meetings about the police response to a gathering of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club.

After reviewing the Findings Report and submissions, the Inspector General found that Mr. Beddows violated sections 4 and 15(1) of Ontario’s Code of Conduct for Police Service Board Members by releasing information about policing operations without authorization. The decision expands on the “two hats” concept for municipal officials who also serve on police boards, emphasizing that mayoral (or councillor) duties do not override police service board member obligations. 

The Inspector General also found that there was no conflict between Mr. Beddows' mayoral duties and his police service board member duties: he could have compiled with both and maintained the confidentiality of the information he obtained as a board member concerning policing operations. While the Inspector General would have imposed a suspension, no measure was imposed because Mr. Beddows had already been restricted from board duties during the entirety of the investigation, which lasted approximately one year.

Outcome: Breach of the Code of Conduct; no measure imposed.
Decision Date: December 17, 2025.