FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 3, 2020
On behalf of the York Regional Police Association, I’d like to restate our commitment as an association to the letter of the law, and to the need to prosecute and convict those charged with killing an officer in the line of duty with first degree murder.
These laws exist to protect our men and women in uniform who, each day, put their lives on the line to keep our families and communities safe.
With that said, our Association has been in touch with the Styles family, and we understand how important it is for them to finally conclude this horrible, traumatic, drawn out court process; we fully support them. The Crown advised the family that this was the best possible resolution given the unique circumstances of this case and it would spare them the trauma of another trial.
Our hope as an Association is that, in the future, first degree murder convictions of on-duty officers remain as convictions and are followed to the full letter of the law.
The families of the victims should be our first priority. Putting them through a prolonged court case with an endless series of appeals in what should have been an open and shut case does a disservice to the community.
Thank you.
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YRPA Media Inquiries: Erika Mieto, Senior Communications Advisor, 905-751-5885, emieto@yrpa.ca
About YPRA: As one of Canada’s leading police associations, York Regional Police Association (YRPA) represents over 2,400 uniformed officers and civilian members of York Regional Police. Established in 1971, the association is dedicated to serving the women and men who protect the York Region community. In the last five years, the association has contributed over $218,000 to various charities and towards members’ participation in charitable work.