Ron Taverner has rescinded his resignation papers with the Toronto Police Service after requesting that his appointment of OPP commissioner be delayed over the weekend.
Taverner, who was originally supposed to take over as commissioner of the OPP today, recently sent an email to Community Safety Minister Sylvia Jones asking that his appointment be delayed until the integrity commissioner completes an investigation into Premier Doug Ford’s involvement in the hiring.
Taverner, who is currently a superintendent with the Toronto Police Service, submitted his resignation papers on Fridau. But Toronto police spokesperson Meaghan Gray said he requested to rescind his resignation over the weekend, a request Police Chief Mark Saunders accepted last night.
Gray said he will resume his role as the as unit commander of the northwest district.
The appointment has been heavily scrutinized given the premier’s longtime friendship with Taverner. NDP MPP Kevin Yarde has asked the integrity commissioner to investigate Premier Doug Ford and Taverner’s appointment under the Members’ Integrity Act.
Ford contends that he had “zero influence” in Taverner’s appointment.
One of the concerns voiced by members of the opposition is that the qualifications for the position were altered after the job was posted.
The initial job posting required applicants to have served at the rank of deputy police chief or higher or assistant commissioner or higher in a major police service, experience Taverner did not have.
The government later lowered the experience required for the position after the job was posted.