The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) said Windsor Police Service (WPS) Const. Michael Brisco plans to appeal his discreditable conduct charge to the Ontario Civilian Police Commission.. Freedom Convoy .During a WPS Discipline Hearing held March 24, 2023, Brisco was found guilty of discreditable conduct. .The charge came from making a $50 donation to the Freedom Convoy on Feb. 8, 2022, after a ruling by a Superior Court Judge that protests could carry on without honking. .Brisco was on unpaid leave from his WPS position during the time of the donation. This leave was due to his decision not to take the COVID-19 vaccine..Brisco served for 15 years without any previous disciplinary incidents and is an experienced and respected police officer. .The $50 donation to the Freedom Convoy Brisco felt was his right under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom, said the JCCF. He contends he did nothing wrong but exercised his Charter rights..The donation made by Brisco became public when the donor list was hacked from GiveSendGo, a crowdfunding website. .The Ontario Provincial Police became involved and helped identify individuals, including police officers, who made donations across Ontario. .As a result, Brisco was convicted of discreditable conduct due to his $50 contribution to the Freedom Convoy. He was required to forfeit 80 hours of work as part of his punishment..Many Canadians supported the Freedom Convoy and expressed their freedom of expression rights by donating to the peaceful protests in Ottawa. .“Constable Brisco was exercising his right to freedom of expression when he made a small donation to the Freedom Convoy,” said Sayeh Hassan, a lawyer for Brisco..“He fully believed the protests were peaceful, and his beliefs were confirmed by the Superior Court, which allowed for the protests to continue, albeit without honking.”.“Canadians, including police officers, should be able to exercise their right to freedom of expression without being penalized,” said Hassan..“We are hopeful that the Ontario Civil Police Commission will overturn Const. Brisco’s conviction and uphold his right to freedom of expression.”
