Windsor police chief's discipline for racist remarks 'doesn't amount to anything': Black Scholars Institute

WARNING: This story contains racially offensive language.

The Windsor Police Service Board is requiring Chief Jason Bellaire to take equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) training after an investigation found he made racist remarks, CBC News has learned.

A source with direct knowledge of the discipline says Bellaire's training must be completed by Dec. 31, even though he's set to retire in November, roughly two years before his five-year contract ends.

"It doesn't really amount to anything," said Camisha Sibblis, director of the Black Scholars Institute at the University of Windsor. "It sounds like there really isn't any accountability."

In March, CBC News reported in an exclusive that an internal investigation substantiated allegations Bellaire made racist remarks to a Black officer at work. 

Jo-Anne Gignac, police board chair and city councillor, has not responded to repeated requests for comment about the Bellaire disciplinary decision and how it was reached.

Sibblis, also a University of Windsor assistant professor of sociology and criminology, said the Bellaire case is troubling.

"What it says to me is that victims are not important and they're certainly not as important as protecting the reputation and status of police, even through their wrongdoing.  

"And when we have that kind of value system, we're all in trouble."

Bellaire has not publicly addressed his comments and the police board has also been silent since CBC News published that the allegations against the chief were substantiated by an internal investigation. The precise remarks made by Bellaire aren't clear.

However, Insp. Ed Armstrong, who filed a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO) in March 2024, said Bellaire made comments to him about Black people and bananas, told him he preferred "whiter" things and suggested there is telepathic communication among Black people.

CBC News recently emailed Bellaire and asked if he'd like to say anything to his officers and the broader community about his comments.

"As this complaint is currently before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, we respectfully cannot comment at this time," said Gary Francoeur, director of corporate communications at Windsor police.

Windsor police previously asked the HRTO to dismiss the application so it could be dealt with internally. That request was not successful.