Chief Hagarty; is he digging himself a bigger hole? Three sides of the story

In the news today is a video spot from CHEX TV where in Chief Hagarty makes some comments that are being refuted by Linda Brown of the Kawartha Charity Riders. Some of his claims, when put into context are quite frankly ridiculous and I believe he has put his foot in it good and proper again.

But you be the judge:



Mayor McGee's Comments about the Chief banning the local biker group from Remembrance Day March:"My voice was not being heard. And as a representative of the people, I think it is important to stand up, for the rights of Remembrance Day Ceremonies, and our fallen soldiers and our veterans. This isn't about me, this is about doing what's right."

About asking for an apology:
"Hopefully we'll see an apology for this mistake in the near future."

The Chief's Comments about the Mayor: "There has been some difficulty, and he doesn't agree with many of my positions."

About the Kawartha Charity Riders:
"Walking right up with a digital camera and taking a shot of our face.
And, they may or may not know that, and I am not accusing them of being a criminal biker gang, but that's what criminal biker gangs do. They develop a data base of pictures of police officers."

About apologizing:
"If I ever have something that I should apologize for, I will, not in this case."

Linda Brown's Comments about taking the photos:
I like to take images, I always have my camera with me at every event I am at and I take photos for memories not for criminal integration.
Linda Brown's Statement regarding Chief Hagarty's Comments:

FACTS: 

-A few years ago KCR was invited to march in the Remembrance Day Parade and did so proudly.

-All members wore black pants/tops with black vests (including me)

-Hagarty told the Legion that he would not march in the parade if KCR is. KCR backed off in order not to put that decision on the Legion.

-I personally sent several messages, phone calls and visits to which Hagarty would not discuss the event with me. I then made the "Dear Mr. Hagarty" Youtube video to get his attention. I did exactly that. 



-When Hagary finally agreed to meet with me, my concerns were directed to the reputation of the community as a whole. I suggested that a photo "opp" with him and KCR showing that we could come up with a solution to any kind of disagreement. 
He was not in agreement to this and stood by his comment regarding our "uniform...or lack of." 
I continued to focus on the best interest of a community at whole, not him or the KCR. 

- Not at any time during this meeting did Hagarty tell me that he had issues with photos being taken, but it has become the issue arising this year. I am the one whom was taking photos of everyone, not just officers.

- I am a Social Worker, not a criminal. 
My focus is what is best for everyone, not him/me/KCR. 
I do NOT have a criminal record or intent to take photos for criminal practices. 

-I advocate for the better good. 
I attempted to assist Hagarty with this to ensure nothing would be a negative impact on our community or each other. 
Nothing came of it and stereotyping is continued in a negative way towards the KCR.

- Unfortunately, this will not be the end of it and will be dealt with in higher forms of action. 
Not because KCR wants to walk in a parade, or that KCR is looking for any kind of media. 
It is because there are too many things going on that are unacceptable and there is nothing being done to repair the situation. 

Serve and Protect. Not stereotype and give ultimatums in order to get your own way. 
Things need to be done right. This community needs an individual whom understands its people. 

-The Legion is placed in the middle and it is not right for them to have to choose or be placed in this situation. Please do not blame/ harass them for any reason.
Linda Brown

Now that you have three sides of this story I want you to dissect this with me bit by bit:

THE DREADED HEAD SHOTS

Linda Brown, the photographer, rides a pink Ninja, wears pink riding gear and lives in Lindsay and works as a social worker.

The police chief talks about bikers walking up and snapping shots of police officer faces. 

And Linda Brown is the biker he refers to? OK

At any point, could the chief not have talked to this very petite, dressed in pink social worker and ask her what the pictures were for? Could none of the officers that had concerns ask her? 

This is ludicrous

From this particular video from Chex TV I need to address two things:

One - the reporter kept saying the riders were banned, and never once does the chief deny that.

Two - the "banned" comments from the reporter could have been added during editing. 

This is suspect - banning only happens when a club is considered as or suspected as a criminal organization and we have no way of knowing if the words banning were added in the editing suite or part of the original interviews.

From the way the police chief speaks, contrary to his words, he appears to be laying a foundation for suspicion on the Kawartha Charity Riders as a criminal motorcycle gang by attempting to create a parallel between a girl in pink leathers taking photos of everyone and some criminal biker walking up and taking headshots. This my friends is profiling.

Add that to his comments that started all of this:

"The Remembrance Day parade is a very respectful, sacred, in my opinion, parade, honouring those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and it is just inappropriate to water that down to a level where you are wearing black leather chaps and motorcycle insignia, walking down the main street of any town in Canada." This is discrimination.

Is it just me or is the writing is on the wall?

Is it time to look at hiring a lawyer and get prepared for the fact that our petition will fall on deaf ears with the Police Service Board for the City of Kawartha Lakes?

If it is - you know it means a battle, a lengthy and costly one.

Personally I am of the opinion we have to get prepared - what say you?

We will be getting a Pay Pal Account Set Up later today and as soon as it is live, we will begin passing the hat for a defending our rights fund.

In the meantime, keep spreading the word about our petition please and remember to sign it with first and last name.

Petition by iPetitions

If you are blessed enough to be riding today, please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you and remember to dress for the slide, not the ride.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

A damning indictment of the Police Service Board in the City of Kawartha Lakes

In a press release yesterday, Mayor Ric McGee of the City of Kawartha Lakes Ontario stepped down from the Police Services Board.

In his statement he says:
My decision to step down from the Police Services Board is based upon the Police Service Boards' inability or lack of willingness to perform its' duty to the taxpayers in Lindsay Ops. The final straw is the Boards' permissive stance to allow a police service employee to create the controversy surrounding the Remembrance Day ceremony over the last two years in Lindsay.

Police Service Employees are not paid to provide personal opinion or issue ultimatums around Remembrance Day ceremonies. End Quote

During a phone interview with the Mayor, he expressed to me that after my call to him last year that he had taken the complaints of discrimination and bullying to the Police Services Board but they chose to do nothing.

If the Police Services Board is not prepared to make this Police Chief, John Hagarty, apologize and the complaints that have been lodged with the Office of Independent Police Review Director does not net any results, then there is a thoughtful group of citizens prepared to sue the Chief and the Police Services Board.

The Facebook Group, Remove Police Chief John Hagarty, had considered a boycott of Lindsey and Lindsey Ops but have decided that that would just hurt good people and so they are getting ready for a legal fight.

So stay tuned for more of this discrimination battle...

In other news:

In the US, a police officer caught on video drag racing has resigned 

A father is found guilty in the death of his 22 month old son when he recklessly rode his motorcycle - his son had no helmet and was killed when the father crashed

The US Federal government is reported to be getting ready for a Universal Helmet Law

In Australia, 3 bikies go to testify in court but get thrown out of the courthouse

Under Lifestyles - Motorcycle Gear - BMW has unveiled a new riding suit equipped with an air bag 


Today is newspaper day over at www.beltdrivebetty.com where our work is keeping you informed.

This week's Busted Knuckle has some great articles from across the country!

I leave you with a few funnies, shared with me by friends on Facebook and via Email:

Have a great Thursday and for those lucky enough to be riding, please ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you and please dress for the slide, not the ride!

Please sign our petition and remember first and last name - all others have to be removed:

Petition by iPetitions

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Lawful Police Harassment Or Why we need to remove people like John Hagarty from positions of authority

In the news today, there are a couple of articles from Australia that have my blood boiling and have driven home for me the reason that we here in Canada need to remove people like Police Chief John Hagarty from positions of authority.

Australia, thanks to the new Anti Bikie legislation, has become a place where Lawful Police Harassment has become acceptable under the law.

It has become a place where people who ride motorcycles have no rights, no protection and few options.

In article number one from Motorbikewriter, a group of everyday, ordinary riders going to a funeral were stopped, searched and filmed.

After the implementation of the New Anti Bikie Legislation, ordinary riders were being pulled over and harassed in large numbers. After enough complaints the police and riders sat down to work out a way to allow riders to ride peacefully - the idea that was settled upon is that large groups would call in to central and let them know their intentions and who they would be riding with (Riding Club or independents) and their ride details.

SO....according to the article;

These riders notified the central office of the police that there would be 14 riders escorting a hearse from the funeral home to the cemetery. They would be leaving from the one person's motorcycle shop which has a Rebels clubhouse as a neighbour, about 500 metres away. No affiliations or relationships are held between the shop or the Rebels.

The lady who had passed was the wife of a longtime shop customer.

Unfortunately the funeral was taking place during a 72 hour anti bikie blitz and so the riders were pulled over, and after producing papers and answering questions, they were allowed to go, just making it to the funeral home in time.

The riders did everything they were asked to do and still got harassed.

In the other article, also from Motorbikewriter, charity riders are being refuse drink service for wearing charity and ride patches on their jackets.

Because independent business owners are not being trained as to what constitutes illegal colours, riders who wear any kind of patch are being refused service by fearful bar owners who can loose their licenses or face huge fines if they serve 1%ers.

Here in many places in Canada, like here in Grande Prairie where I live, there are bylaws forbidding 1% colours on city property and bar owners have signs that say no Illegal, Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Club Colours.

We have had similar cases of riders being filmed because a 1%er showed up to an event and I have had my fair share of discrimination levelled at me when I was hosting motorcycle shows.

And, because of lack of training, we have had bar owners refuse people service for wearing Harley-Davidson or Sons of Anarchy shirts.

The mentality of people like John Hagarty, the Police Chief who has publicly discriminated against bikers based solely on attire, is a dangerous one.

It is the kind of mentality that says my opinions count more than your opinions, you are discounted, treated as if you don't matter or count because I don't like you. It is the kind of mentality that punishes everyone for the sins of a few.

Anytime a person in a position of authority is allowed to discriminate publicly, with no repercussions, no civil anger, our rights and freedoms become eroded to the point that we too will become a place of Lawful Police Harassment. We are already over half way there.

Think about it.

The rest of society doesn't see in harm in the discrimination or harassment of motorcyclists because they themselves aren't being singled out for special attention or discrimination and they have bought into the police and medias rhetoric. As long as they are not being inconvenienced there is no motivation to step in or speak out.  Then there is the fear factor - if I stay quiet, they won't notice me and they will leave me alone.

No one is going to protect our rights and freedoms unless we do.

So, that leaves a bunch of A type personalities to figure out a way to unite and defend the freedoms and rights we still have in a united and cohesive way and that my friends will not be easy.

But if we do not make an example of John Hagarty, who has publicly discriminated against our community, and send a clear message to the rest of the Canadian Police Forces, it will  not be long before we have the same problems in Canada that Queensland Australia has.

Like I said, look at the laws in our country - we are already over half way there....

We cannot stand by and watch what we love to do die, can we?

Where would you be without your motorcycle, the motorcycle community, your lifestyle?

I know where I would be.
Sitting in a psychiatrists office trying to make sense of a world I don't understand anymore.
At least on my motorcycle, I can feel alive, free and have an uncluttered mind and a bit of peace for a while.

If I lost that, it would wound me deeply and my quality of life would suffer desperately.

If we do not protect our rights and freedoms, who will?

Please consider what I say, read all the information you can and educate yourself and then if you see any wisdom or value in my words, please sign our petition - both first and last name please and help us send a clear and concise message to those in positions of authority:

We are bikers, motorcyclists, riders, citizens and taxpayers and we have rights and freedoms that have been guaranteed to us under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and we will defend those rights and freedoms.

Here's some reading material for you to consider when making your decision to sign or not, each article has links to outside sources of information:

A Police Chief crosses the line and publicly discriminates

Kawartha Lakes Police Chief John Hagarty - Bikers don't belong marching in Remembrance Day Parades wearing biker attire.

Who has the moral right to tell people who ride they are being disrespectful of our troops...

If we do not protect our rights and freedoms, then every soldier who ever fought to defend those rights and freedoms - their service and sacrifice means nothing, and that would be the worst travesty of all.

I leave you with a link to a WONDERFUL AND JOYFUL VIDEO  - Police Chief Hagarty would probably be foaming at the mouth if he saw it, but I think all of you will appreciate what this video stands for.

MEDRIC AND SERVICE DOG THAI 

MARCH IN THE HALIFAX REMEMBRANCE DAY PARADE

Petition by iPetitions

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

A Police Chief crosses the line and publicly discriminates

There is a police chief in a place called Kawartha Lakes Ontario, that needs to be removed from his position for his blatant abuse of his position and authority or at the very least, forced to apologize for his comments and conduct.

Police Chief John Hagarty has used his personal feelings twice now, to put the squeeze on the Sir Sam Hughes Branch 67 of the Royal Canadian Legion when it comes to people who wear motorcycle gear marching in Remembrance Day Parades, something he thinks is disrespectful.

Here is a video from Last year on the topic:

The chief's words are: The Remembrance Day parade is a very respectful, sacred, in my opinion, parade, honouring those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and it is just inappropriate to water that down to a level where you are wearing black leather chaps and motorcycle insignia, walking down the main street of any town in Canada.

That was last year....

The video from this year:
http://Toronto.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1040911&playlistId=1.1536560&binId=1.815892&playlistPageNum=1

According to the CTV piece above,  the police chief stands by his comments of last year and has nothing further to add.

Now on the Legion side of this issue, I personally, would have told the chief he could take his ultimatum of "Them or Me" and walked right out the door.
But because this man is so highly thought of in their community the Legion is afraid of the reprisal from the non riding community of Kawartha Lakes.

And I can understand their position

This chief is: 

Highly decorated:
http://kawarthalakesmums.blogspot.ca/2013/05/congratulations-chief-hagarty.html

Well thought of:
https://www.facebook.com/OACPOfficial/posts/202974846478124

He is vocal and socially connected on twitter, Facebook etc:
City and Police Chief nominated for PeterTweeter Awards — City of ...

When this man says something people listen

But he's obviously also something else - he's either an egotist who is hung up on his own reputation and OR he's human and has biases.

The difference between you and I, Joe Q Citizen and this Police Chief - he chose to take an oath to serve and protect and to live by a code of conduct that holds him to a higher standard than the average citizen.  

He is not allowed to use his uniform or his position to influence the decisions of others in this way.

He is entitled to his personal feelings but he cannot let those feelings dictate how he is to conduct himself when representing the police force in a public parade.  He should suck it up, and keep his mouth shut and march right alongside whomever else is there to show support.

His personal feelings on attire have no place here whatsoever.

He is NOT THE FASHION POLICE nor is he THE MORAL AUTHORITY.

Remember...The chief's words are: The Remembrance Day parade is a very respectful, sacred, in my opinion, parade, honouring those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and it is just inappropriate to water that down to a level where you are wearing black leather chaps and motorcycle insignia, walking down the main street of any town in Canada.

If this situation is TRULY about clothing and physical appearance, then this chief has crossed a boundary that he may well live to regret. It shows his true bias.

If this is truly about his PERSONAL opinion then he should be removed from his position or at the very least be forced to man up, own up and apologize to all involved.

According to his comments on twitter today, the 4 members of the Kawartha Charity Riders who are  Veterans themselves were told they could march. (https://twitter.com/jhagarty)



From all accounts that I have been made privy to no one from the Kawartha Charity Riders was told they could march in the parade.  But, even if what the chief claims is 100% the truth, something still doesn't ring true.

In the CTV interview from this year - the part with the Legion President, he said he felt stuck in the middle - so - something doesn't jive here.  And the discussions I had with all of the players last year, Mayor McGee, City Councillor and Chair of the Police Services Board, Mr. James, the past president of the Legion and Rick Gibson, everyone save Chief Hagarty who refused my interview request, support the original comments made by the chief in his own words in the first video.

The words he says he stands by in the 2013 CTV video.

He never denied issuing the ultimatum to the Legion. The Legion was fine with the participation of the Kawartha Charity Riders until the Chief issued his ultimatum - so really...I have a hard time believing that what the chief says in the above twitter discussion is 100% on the level.

What he said in 2012:
The Remembrance Day parade is a very respectful, sacred, in my opinion, parade honouring those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and it is just inappropriate to water that down to a level where you are wearing a black leather chaps and a motorcycle insignia, walking down the main street of any town in Canada.

To Now:
Not true, every Charity Rider Veteran was welcome to march, they knew that regardless of what was said to the media.

You decide which version of what he has to say is the truth.
Or how much truth lay in both statements.

I'll be sending Rick Gibson a message to see if I can verify the claims that the chief makes, but I still ask this question....

I am a member of CAV. I am a Veteran Supporter Member - I am a PM Q brat, my parents served.
Does his statement mean that because I am not a veteran, I cannot participate in a March with my unit on Remembrance Day because I wear biker garb and am only a civilian?

If this situation is about something other than clothing then this Police Chief needs to come clean about it.

If this is about "you served or you didn't serve", again that comes down to his personal opinion.
The Legion is widely comprised of supporters not just veterans or serving members so his argument holds no water there either.

If it's really about clothing and his personal opinion then he needs to apologize or resign or be reprimanded or something.  The police have a term they use for people who use their membership in something to persuade you to make the right decision...what is it....Intimidation?

Well, it is intimidating for an organization called the Legion to have their police chief, a man who is highly regarded, threaten to pull his support of a Remembrance Day Parade because he doesn't like the way bikers dress.  He didn't say the force wouldn't attend just that he wouldn't attend.

That in and of itself speaks of how personal this issue is to this man and that he let his emotions cloud his judgement.

As far as the Royal Canadian Legion goes, I sent Dominion Command an Email about the newly formed riding club, the Canadian Legion Riders and asked the question, does the Legion not have to stand for its own? If the Police Chief refused to march because members of the RCL are bikers, what would the Legion be expected to do.

At the end of the day a lot of people here have made mis-steps in handling this situation, but Chief Hagarty over stepped his bounds and put people in the position to make a mistake in the first place.

If he had done his civic duty properly, he would have never put the Legion in the position of choosing - once he did, the Legion should have told the Chief, we'll miss you.

In the meantime I have lodged a formal complaint against the chief.
I have written letters to the Mayor and all of the major players in this sad affair.
AND
I have started a petition to force the mayor and the council of the City of Kawartha Lakes to deal with this issue.

I am doing all I know to effect change. I need your voice added to mine - there is strength in numbers and I ask that if you feel this chief has crossed a line, then please sign my petition.

So let's recap...

If the participation of the Kawartha Charity Riders in the Parade of 2011 was OK and was in fact welcomed from all accounts by the Legion, and it was not until after the Chief threatened to pull his personal support, that their participation was no longer welcomed, then the Chief clearly intimidated the Legion, made them feel to be put in the middle and concerned for their organizations reputation in the eyes of the rest of the Kawartha Lakes community; by using his position and standing in the community for leverage to gain the decision he sought from the Legion.

What he said in 2012:
The Remembrance Day parade is a very respectful, sacred, in my opinion, parade honouring those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and it is just inappropriate to water that down to a level where you are wearing a black leather chaps and a motorcycle insignia, walking down the main street of any town in Canada. 

Bottom line, end of story he crossed a line.

If there are other facts that surface later that change things then I'll be happy to re-evaluate my stance, but until that happens, it is my firm belief , from everything I have read and researched that this man has crossed a line that is discriminatory and directed solely at the motorcycle community.  And his actions are contrary to the Charter of Rights & Freedoms where in we are guaranteed our right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. I also believe that he has contravened the code of conduct for the Ontario Police.

Until we have all of the facts, all of the answers and apologies are issued, I won't let this rest.

If what I have presented makes sense to you; if like me, you have concerns about the conduct of this police chief, then I ask you to please read and consider signing my petition.

Petition by iPetition
Please make sure you use first and last name when signing the petition or we just have to remove the signatures.  Anonymous, nick names and one name only all have to be trashed or it ruins the integrity of the petition. I have enough work to do so please, both names or don't bother signing and costing me time I don't have.


THIS JUST IN FROM THE POLICE CHIEF'S BLOG:

Let me explain how we got to this point. Remembrance Day 2010 as we formed up at the Legion, for the first time a number of “Bikers” lined up as well, and I was surprised to see them stay and walk along in the parade, I thought was very unusual and maybe a onetime thing, but they returned in 2011. That year a few of them walked up to us as we stood in formation taking head shots (pictures) of our officers. This is a practice of criminal biker gangs to develop an inventory of officer’s pictures for intimidation and intelligence purposes. Many of my officers complained to me and asked “why are they allowed to march?” I wondered too, as I felt the parade portion of the ceremony was limited to the group I have mentioned (occasionally elected officials join in), for me the march is a visual reminder of the men and women that marched off to war. I explained to the Legion that in my opinion that it was inappropriate for them to walk in the march and that if this continued I would attend the ceremony but not march.

He ends his post with: Many may still not agree with my opinions, but I reserve the right to express them, it is that freedom that our Soldiers fought, and continue to fight for. End Quote

Oh so now we bring in Criminal Bike Gangs as they like to call them - really....

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Kawartha Lakes Police Chief John Hagarty - Bikers don't belong marching in Remembrance Day Parades wearing biker attire.

Some people should not be allowed to hold a position of authority because of their abuse of that authority and I rank Police Chief John Hagarty of Kawartha Lakes among them.

Here is the link to a CTV news piece on the matter: http://ow.ly/qG43V

Here is a quote from that piece: A group of bikers won't be allowed to take part in a ceremony honouring war veterans for the second year in a row in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario. The local police chief feels the group's participation is odd and that the 'biker attire' would stand out against the backdrop of cadets and military uniforms.

For a second year in a row, the police chief has denied the Kawartha Lake Charity Riders the right to march in the Remembrance Day Parade while wearing their biker attire.

He put the ultimatum to the Royal Canadian Legion again - it's either the bikers or me.

For the second year in a row, the Royal Canadian Legion, Sir Sam Hughes Branch 67, capitulated and the Kawartha Charity Riders out of respect and deference, agreed to silently watch the procession instead of being a part of it.

I am disgusted with the police chief who refuses to speak with me.
I am sad that the Legion chose to cow tow to this arrogant man.

It has been suggested that we should be suing the police chief - there are no legal precedents that I know of that would allow one to sue him for his personal beliefs and opinions.

Maybe he could be sued as a bully because that is what he appears to be.

However, I do feel that it is an abuse of his authority.

The only way this situation is ever going to get resolved is for the Mayor, Ric McGee, of Kawartha Lakes to take his police chief to task and make him apologize to the Legion and the Kawartha Lake Charity Riders.

This police chief is entitled to his personal opinion but is not entitled to infringe on the rights of anyone he is sworn to serve and protect and by telling the Legion it's them or me - he has become a bully of the lowest kind.

It is a travesty that all Canadians who want to lay a wreath at a cenotaph are not allowed to.

This man is not the moral or the fashion police and should be put in his place by someone.

I think there are two things that we in the riding community can and must do.

The first is to start inundating the Mayor's office, the Police Chief's office and the Sir Sam Hughes Branch 67 of the Legion with emails and letters expressing our outrage and disbelief.

The second thing is to begin a defence fund.
It is high time we start legally working to protect our rights as citizens of Canada.

I propose a national organization called the Canadian Riders for Justice & Equality.

What say you?

In the meantime, if you feel so inclined to actually do something about your anger over Chief Hagarty's position here is the contact information you need:

John Hagarty, BAA, CMM III
Chief of Police
City of Kawartha Lakes
Chief’s Executive Assistant Leah Rea - LRea@klps.ca
Phone: 705 324-6307 ext 506
The Contact us page link: http://www.kawarthalakespolice.com/contact.html
The chief's Twitter account: twitter.com/jhagarty

Mayor of Kawartha Lakes
Ric McGee

Email: rmcgee@city.kawarthalakes.on.ca
Phone: 705-324-9411 ext 1320
Twitter account: twitter.com/RicMcGee

Councillor Gord James - Chair of the Kawartha Lakes Police Service Board
Email: gjames@city.kawarthalakes.on.ca
Phone: 705-324-3985

Royal Canadian Legion - Sir Sam Hughes Branch 67

Ask to speak to : Harold Jessup - President
Phone: 705-324-2613 

Email: sirsamhughes@bellnet.ca

Contact Us form page: http://www.lindsaylegion.ca/contact-us.html

As I pay homage to our veterans today - all of our veterans, I wonder what they would think if they knew this is how the citizens they fought to protect, the rights and freedoms they fought to protect were being treated and what they would want us - the citizens of Canada to do about it.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider