Officer from Barrie's senior law enforcement ranks under suspicion for fabricating truth, concealing proof during OPP's internal misconduct inquiry
Inspector Valarie Gates, a 27-year veteran of the Barrie Police Service, is currently facing two counts of discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act. The allegations against her involve misleading, lying to, and withholding key evidence from investigators with the OPP Professional Standards Unit (PSU) during an investigation [1][4].
The investigation, which began in 2023, was initiated after it was discovered that Inspector Gates had conducted an unapproved internal investigation aimed at obtaining compromising information on another police officer who was up for a promotion within the Barrie Police Service. The OPP investigators were examining accusations of workplace bullying, harassment through gossip and insulting language, and dishonesty on Gates' part regarding steps taken during a promotional competency review four years earlier [1].
Text messages between Inspector Gates and outgoing police chief Kimberley Greenwood, whom Gates referred to as a "mentor and safe place," indicate a close personal and professional relationship. However, it is unclear what, if any, role Greenwood played in the OPP investigation or the subsequent charges against Gates [1].
Inspector Gates has two Police Services Act hearings scheduled for later in 2025. The Barrie Police Service has refrained from commenting publicly and has referred the matter to the OPP. Gates' legal counsel has not responded to requests for comment [1][2].
The OPP Professional Standards Unit substantiated a total of four charges against Gates, two each for neglect of duty and discreditable conduct. The details of the resolution in the informal resolution for both scheduled matters before the police services act have not been disclosed [3].
It is worth noting that Greenwood declined to participate in the OPP investigation, citing illness as the reason. Furthermore, the OPP concluded that Greenwood "shut down" a potential chief's complaint being filed against Gates [3]. Greenwood has since stated that she did not interfere in the investigation [3].
The investigation also found that Inspector Gates pressured a fellow officer to provide compromising information on another member of the service [3]. Despite the ongoing proceedings, Inspector Gates continues to serve as a senior member of the Barrie Police Service.
| Aspect | Details | |--------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Subject | Inspector Valarie Gates, longtime Barrie Police officer | | Allegations | Lying, misleading, withholding evidence during OPP Professional Standards investigation | | Nature of Investigation | Stemmed from an inappropriate internal investigation by Gates into another officer | | Workplace accusations | Bullying, harassment, dishonesty during promotional review | | Support from Barrie officers | Some high-ranking officers reportedly tried to assist Gates | | Legal proceedings | Two Police Services Act hearings scheduled for late 2025 | | Role of Kimberley Greenwood | No publicly available information on involvement or relationship to the case | | Resolution Details | The details of the resolution in the informal resolution for both scheduled matters before the police services act have not been disclosed | | Greenwood's Involvement in Investigation | Greenwood declined to participate in the OPP investigation, citing illness as the reason. The OPP concluded that Outgoing police chief Kimberley Greenwood "shut down" a potential chief's complaint being filed against Gates. Greenwood has since stated that she did not interfere in the investigation. | | Pressuring Fellow Officer | The OPP investigation found that Inspector Gates pressured a fellow officer to provide compromising information on another member of the service. |
This article aims to provide a clear and concise account of the ongoing investigation and charges against Inspector Valarie Gates. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
References: [1] Barrie Today. (2023, October 26). Barrie police officer charged with discreditable conduct. Retrieved from https://www.barrietoday.com/local-news/barrie-police-officer-charged-with-discreditable-conduct-4504438
[2] Barrie 360. (2023, October 26). Barrie police officer charged with discreditable conduct. Retrieved from https://barrie360.com/news/local-news/barrie-police-officer-charged-with-discreditable-conduct
[3] The Globe and Mail. (2023, December 14). Barrie police chief Kimberley Greenwood 'shut down' probe into officer Valarie Gates. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-barrie-police-chief-kimberley-greenwood-shut-down-probe-into-officer-valarie/
[4] CBC News. (2023, October 26). Barrie police officer charged with discreditable conduct. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/barrie-police-officer-charged-with-discreditable-conduct-1.6406541
News reports have revealed that Inspector Valarie Gates, a senior member of the Barrie Police Service, is under investigation for discreditable conduct and neglect of duty. This allegedly resulted from her lying, withholding evidence, and conducting an unapproved internal investigation aimed at obtaining damning information on another police officer. The investigation, which began in 2023, was initiated by the OPP Professional Standards Unit and pertained to accusations of workplace bullying, harassment, and dishonesty on Gates' part. The investigation also uncovered that Gates pressured a fellow officer to provide compromising information on another member of the service. The case has been complicated by the close personal and professional relationship between Gates and former Barrie Police Chief Kimberley Greenwood, though Greenwood has since stated that she did not interfere in the investigation.
