Oakville Mayor Rob Burton has resigned as Chair of the Halton Police Board after approving Halton Police Chief Steve Tanner’s controversial trip to Florida.
Posted Jan 12, 2021, 05:37AM EST
Oakville Mayor Rob Burton has resigned as Chair of the Halton Police Board after approving Halton Police Chief Steve Tanner’s controversial trip to Florida.
Tanner released a statement last Friday apologizing for travelling to Florida in late December to address “personal business matters.”
At the time, Tannersaid the trip was taken with the approval of Burton.
On Monday, Burton resigned from the police board in a letter to Halton Regional Chair, Gary Carr.
“I am resigning now as a member of the Halton Police Board, deeply regretful for my response to the chief’s proposed trip, proud of what we have accomplished in my years as chair…” he wrote.
“I regret sincerely that I focused at the time on the ways the chief’s trip qualified as essential travel. I should have recommended against it because it could generate public concern about me not setting a higher example than the rules and guidelines actually called for.”
When news broke that Tanner was in Florida, Burton released a statement of support for the police chief.
“Chief Steve Tanner informed me in advance of his travel to tend to a property matter,” Burton wrote. “I had no objection. Chief Tanner continues to have my full confidence. The chief leads our police service in an exemplary manner and will continue to do so.”
Tanner later apologized, saying flying south “was a poor decision, and one that I deeply regret.”
