Barrie police Insp. Valarie Gates made an appearance before a Police Services Act tribunal via teleconference this morning.
The April 18 appearance for a charge of discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act lasted less than five minutes.
The hearing was initially scheduled for Jan. 12, but was pushed to Jan. 23 due to a scheduling issue with a further hearing date on Feb. 29.
Prosecutor Jessica Barrow noted there was a disclosure request earlier this week, and the prosecution will need two weeks to complete “whatever needs to be completed in relation to the disclosure request.”
The next scheduled hearing date is set for 9 a.m. on Friday, May 10.
Previously, Barrow said she had the opportunity to speak to defence lawyer Joanne Mulcahy on Jan. 22 about evidence disclosure, adding they were in the process of providing disclosure to the defence, which had not yet been completed, at that time.
Following that, the defence required some time to review the information, which led to the hearing date on Feb. 29, and then to today.
Barrie city police issued a news release on Dec. 1, 2023 indicating the charge had been laid after a recent investigation was conducted by the OPP Office of Professionalism, Respect, Inclusion and Leadership.
The nature of the allegations against Gates remain unclear.
The alleged incident stems from "an on-duty, internal incident," according to the Barrie police department's upcoming hearings page.
"An allegation of an on-duty internal incident was received by Barrie Police Deputy Chief R. Wyllie Allan earlier this year involving a 26-year officer of the service who holds the rank of inspector," stated the release. "After receiving the complaint, Deputy Chief Allan requested the assistance of the OPP to conduct the investigation."
Gates, who is married to Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston, has spent a large part of her policing career working in domestic violence, as well as in areas of mental health and child/youth advocacy.
