Cobourg Mayor responds to Police Board Chair’s statements about support for police officers

By Dan Jones LJI
Northumberland 89.7 FM

Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland challenged Police Board Chair Adam Bureau to produce evidence that he is blaming rank-and-file officers for drug use and bail issues in the community.

“Our officers have been giving everything,” Bureau said Tuesday in a prepared statement to the board. “Still, people are released again and again. We see individuals arrested dozens of times in a matter of months. Yet some, including our mayor, would have you believe this is solely a police failure. Let me be unequivocal: every officer is a victim of a broken system. We arrest; they release; jails are full; courts have no choice. And still the blame is thrown on those who show up every day and risk their lives.”

Bureau was supported by Vice-Chair Sean Graham, who presented a laundry list of statistics outlining the efforts of front-line officers, including 18,522 calls for service, 142 bail cases, and seizure of more than $600,000 worth of illegal drugs.

Cleveland, the son of a retired police officer, said in a statement Wednesday his issues are not with the front-line officers, but with some members of the police board.

“To my knowledge, I have always praised the rank-and-file members of our town’s force from the day I was elected to today,” he said. “Any issues I have had have always centered very squarely around the board of the Cobourg Police, certain members in particular. Not any members of the force themselves.”

Cleveland remains vocal about the 2026 Cobourg Police budget. In November, the board proposed a 20.5 percent increase for this year; however, the final amount approved by council was 12.85 percent.

Cleveland is attributing this attack to electioneering, as Bureau is contesting the Deputy Mayor seat on Cobourg council, and fellow Police Board member Nicole Beatty is running for mayor.

“I recently sent an email that included Mr. Bureau that was in praise of Prime Minister Carney and his government’s changes around bail reform legislation. It is my sincere hope that these legislative changes around bail will begin to put an end to Mr. Bureau’s referenced concern around multi-arrest releases,” Cleveland explained.

The Mayor is a vocal opponent of language in the draft parks master plan that addresses drug use and homelessness in public parks. A further debate is set for June 24.