Durham Regional Council has unanimously voted to pursue access to a long-awaited and highly confidential report on alleged wrongdoing within the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS). The motion, led by Durham Regional Chair John Henry, calls for the release of the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) report, which was completed in July 2025 but has not been made public. The report, which includes 33 recommendations, has been shrouded in secrecy, frustrating council members who feel entitled to see the findings and take action accordingly.
In a February 11, 2026 meeting, Chair John Henry moved a multi-part motion seeking access to the unredacted report, which has been withheld despite the extensive six-year investigation into the Durham Regional Police. The motion passed unanimously, signaling strong support from council for full transparency.
According to Henry, the council has not been given access to the report’s contents. “I have no idea what they are,” he said, highlighting his frustration with the lack of transparency, especially given the significant public funding the police service receives. The motion also includes a request for freedom of information (FOI) to access the document, with the Ministry of the Attorney General involved in obtaining it.
The investigation, which took six years to complete, initially focused on allegations of misconduct within the police force. While some individuals named in the report, including former police chief Paul Martin and Deputy Chief Dean Bertrim, have left the force, the controversy surrounding the findings continues to affect public trust in the force. Bertrim, who briefly faced charges of professional misconduct in 2023 that were later dropped, retired last year after more than three decades with the force.
Durham Police Chief Peter Moreira, who took over after the investigation began, called the decision not to release the report “problematic.” He emphasized that withholding the findings only deepens the reputational damage the Durham Regional Police has suffered, making it difficult to rebuild trust. “The public doesn’t distinguish between Durham Regional Police and Durham Region council,” Henry added, stressing the importance of transparency in restoring the police service’s reputation.
The Durham Regional Council also passed two other parts of the motion that would penalize current or former police members found guilty of wrongdoing in the report, including stripping them of ceremonial honours and titles. However, some council members, including Oshawa Councillor Bob Chapman, a retired member of the Durham Regional Police, expressed concerns over the motion’s authority. Chapman pointed out that the Police Act limits the council’s ability to impose such penalties, particularly for retired members.
While the motion moves forward, it remains uncertain when the OCPC report will be fully released or what the full impact of the findings will be for the Durham Regional Police.
