Watchdog investigating lawyer's claims of Sault police misconduct

A police watchdog for Ontario is proceeding with investigations into a pair of complaints by Naomi Sayers — an Indigenous criminal defence lawyer who made headlines last year when her bid to run under the Ontario Liberal Party was rejected — alleging members of Sault Ste. Marie Police Service have been following her and tracking her movements while on duty in marked police cruisers.      

The Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD) confirmed in a June 6 letter to Sayers that the Toronto Police Service has been assigned to look into both complaints.

The independent civilian oversight agency oversees all complaints about police in the province.

“I don’t know how to say it in a few words. They’re always there,” Sayers told SooToday, when asked about the allegations of police misconduct. “Yes, I work in the criminal justice system, but the frequency I see them is not normal.” 

In her most recent OIPRD complaint, Sayers claims officers followed her vehicle on four separate occasions, all within a span of three days. 

Investigations into complaints regarding police conduct that are overseen by OIPRD are to be completed within 120 days once a decision is made to retain or refer a complaint for investigation, according to the watchdog’s website. 

A complaint can be either referred for investigation to the police service in question or another police service for investigation with OIPRD oversight. Complaints involving more serious allegations or complaints that are more complex in nature, meanwhile, are handled by OIPRD investigators.  

No matter which avenue is taken, all complaints will end up with one of three possible outcomes: unsubstantiated, “substantiated less serious” or “substantiated serious.” 

A previous complaint made by Sayers against the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service — alleging an officer backed her into a corner at police headquarters and intimidated her — was thrown out by OIPRD last year because the independent police watchdog deemed it was not in the public interest to proceed with an investigation. 

Sayers has since launched a lawsuit against Sault police, alleging members of the service have been surveilling her at her home and “stalking” the Indigenous lawyer after she broke off a sexual relationship with an officer within the police service’s ranks. 

Legal counsel for the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is trying to have the civil suit thrown out of court, deeming it “vexatious and frivolous.” 

The legal proceedings have been put on hold until an out-of-town judge is assigned to preside over the court hearings.

Sayers, meanwhile, told SooToday she plans on packing up and moving away from the Sault as a result of the alleged “stalking, intimidation and harassment” she has endured.     

“It won’t get better," she said. "This will not get better."

Sault Police referred SooToday to OIPRD when asked for comment on the allegations and the investigations launched by the watchdog.