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Veteran Barrie police inspector's discreditable conduct hearing delayed again

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The scheduled Police Services Act appearance for Valarie Gates, the Barrie police inspector facing two charges of discreditable conduct, has been delayed again and adjourned for a month and a half.

The brief appearance over teleconference presided over by retired OPP Superintendent Morris Elbers lasted only a few minutes and was put over to October 30.

Lawyer Jessica Barrow said she and her counterpart for the defence, Joanne Mulcahy, require more time to allow for the defence to review disclosure regarding the initial discreditable conduct charge and subsequently have a meeting with the prosecution to discuss the path forward.

Gates, a police officer for about 26 years, including 19 years in Barrie, is married to Barrie police Chief Rich Johnston.

She was initially charged with one count of discreditable conduct on December 1, 2023, relating to what the service described as "an on-duty, internal incident."

Barrie Police Service confirmed the charge against the veteran officer was laid following an investigation conducted by the Ontario Provincial Police Office of Professionalism, Respect, Inclusion and Leadership.

In June, Barrie police posted a notice of a second discreditable conduct charge against Gates on its website. It's believed both charges are related.

According to Barrie police, Gates remains on active duty.

She is expected to attend a teleconference on October 31 for the second discreditable conduct charge, that appearance was previously scheduled for Thursday.

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