Vernon White (politician)

The Honourable Vernon Darryl White
Vernon White in September 2016.
Senator for Ontario
Incumbent
Assumed office February 20, 2012
Nominated by	Stephen Harper
Appointed by	David Johnston
Personal details
Born	(1959-02-21) February 21, 1959 (age 62) New Waterford, Nova Scotia
Political party	Canadian Senators Group
Other political affiliations	Conservative (2012—2019)

Vernon Darryl White (born February 21, 1959) is a Canadian senator, and former chief of the Ottawa Police Service.^[1]

As chief, he was responsible for community law enforcement in Canada's national capital city. He had been chief of police for the Durham Regional Police Service and succeeded Vince Bevan on May 22, 2007.^[2]

Before becoming chief of police for the Durham Regional Police Service, he served 24 years in the ranks of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, including as Assistant Commissioner for Information and Identification, in the Ottawa region. White also has experience in various communities across Canada.

White has a Professional Doctorate in Police Leadership from Charles Sturt University, a Masters in from Royal Roads University, a Bachelor Arts Degree in Sociology and Psychology from Acadia University, and a diploma in Business Administration.^[2]

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed White to the Senate on January 6, 2012,^[3][4] with effect from February 20, 2012, allowing him to complete his term as Ottawa police chief. On November 4, 2019, Senator White joined the Canadian Senators Group and, since the CSG, like the ISG requires non-partisanship and refraining from all political party activities, left the Conservative Party of Canada.^[5]

In January 2021, White confirmed that he travelled to Finland to visit his spouse's parents on December 28, 2020, contrary to public health advice to avoid international travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. White said that he was quarantining for 10 days and getting two COVID-19 tests per Finland's pandemic guidelines.^[6]

Controversy[]

In June 2021, it was reported that while Vern White was the Chief of The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) Const. Kimberly Cadarette brought directly to Vern's attention sexual harassment and bullying occurring against her by other members of The OPS. In response, Cadarette said the manager of health and safety and a recruiter informed her that the chief wanted her firearm to be taken away and for her to be put on desk duty until she was evaluated by a psychologist. They told Cadarette her handgun was being removed from her locker as they spoke. She was ordered to see a person who was later revealed to be impersonating Dr. Ron Frey, a certified psychologist, to determine her fitness for duty. Const. Kimberly Cadarette met the real Dr. Ron Frey in 2021 and The Ottawa Police Service will launch a criminal investigation, however, staff working with the OPS wellness program had known about the possible fraud for eight months, but there was no apparent move toward an investigation until CBC made inquiries.

When reached for comment on the accusation in 2021 senator Vern White said he remembers Cadarette's name but does not recall meeting her in person. White said it's unlikely he would have asked two civilian employees to tell an officer their sidearm was being removed. He said that's the responsibility of senior officers. "I have never requested civilians be involved in the removal of any officer's use of force. I've never done it in 32 years of policing," said White. He also said it's the force's doctor that recommends mental health assessments, not the chief. ^[7]

References[]

External links[]

• https://sencanada.ca/en/senators/white-vernon/

This article about an Ontario politician is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by .

• v
• t

This article relating to Ottawa and to Canada's National Capital Region is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by .

• v
• t