Calls for bail reform repeated after Cobourg police officer allegedly exposed to fentanyl during arrest

Robert Washburn September 26, 2025 1 min read

Cobourg Police Station — Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf repeated his call for bail reform following an incident involving an officer possibly exposed to fentanyl. File photo.

A scare for police officers in Cobourg, after one of their own was potentially exposed to fentanyl during an arrest over the weekend.

Now the police chief is renewing calls for bail reform, alleging the accused individual in Sunday’s arrest was wanted for failing to attend court and other offenses.

Paul VandeGraaf joins other police chiefs in the province, as well as Premier Doug Ford, in calling on Ottawa to implement the necessary bail changes to ensure community safety and prevent those accused of serious and violent crimes from being granted bail while awaiting trial.

The federal government is getting set to table bail legislation in the House of Commons as early as next month.