Windsor police officer accused of telling youth to seek revenge avoids discipline due to retirement

Due to retirement, a Windsor, Ont., police officer will no longer face the possibility of internal discipline for allegedly not doing a proper assault investigation and then directing the victim’s older brother to seek out revenge himself.

An Ontario Police Act hearing abruptly ended Monday for Const. Dale Roorda, who retired on July 25. 

“As a result of council’s comments, the matter will be marked as stayed and I’ve had a loss of jurisdiction,” said hearing officer Greg Walton.

Roorda was charged with one count of neglect of duty, one count of discreditable conduct and three counts of insubordination.

These charges relate to allegations of “failing to complete a full and proper assault investigation, and for directing a youth to seek retribution by committing an assault on the male who assaulted his younger brother,” according to the Windsor Police Service.

Police said the officer’s direction led to a “serious injury.”

The older brother was then himself charged with assault.

Ontario Court of Justice in Windsor, Ontario logo and flag
The older brother who assaulted someone after allegedly receiving that direction from now-retired Windsor police officer Dale Roorda received 12 months of probation. (Jason Viau/CBC)

The courts aren’t able to release any details about the cases or names of the youths due to protections under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The lawyer who represented the older brother in court told CBC News the youth took a plea a few months ago and received 12 months of probation. 

Now that the Community Safety and Policing Act matter against Roorda is stayed, the issue of guilt or innocence won’t be determined.

The charges against Roorda were never previously made public.

CBC News has reached out to Roorda’s lawyer for comment and has not received a response.