Changes announced this week by the provincial government to the Police Services Act are positive.

So says North Bay’s Deputy Chief and soon to be chief Scott Tod.

He says the province is streamlining the SIU investigative process.

“It goes back to what is important to the police and the public: investigating those acts where a person has been seriously injured or has died as a result of a police action,” Tod says.

The SIU would also investigate when an officer shoots at a person or is accused of sexual assault.

Attorney General Caroline Mulroney says the changes will focus the SIU’s mandate to investigating suspected criminal activity, instead of treating an officer like a suspect if they unsuccessfully try to stop a suicide attempt.

The Police Association of Ontario is welcoming the new legislation but the Canadian Civil Liberties Association says the changes gut police oversight.

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