in what his lawyers are calling a fight for free speech, a windsor police officer has appealed his conviction and “harsh” penalty for donating $50 to the 2022 freedom convoy protest.
lawyers made arguments monday before the ontario civilian police commission as const. michael brisco tries to overturn his discreditable conduct conviction.
“our position is that police officers have freedom of expression,” lawyer darren leung, who helped prepare brisco’s appeal, said after the hearing.
“there are certain limits to it. they can’t go to a political rally dressed as a police officer, but they can go to a political rally dressed in civilian clothes as long as they don’t represent themselves as police.
“our position is this is a political donation and he did it privately, expecting confidentiality.”
a date has not been set for the commission’s three-member panel to deliver a decision.
brisco, a 15-year windsor police service member, made the donation on feb. 8, 2022. at the time, he was on unpaid leave for refusing to take the available covid-19 vaccine.
brisco made his donation anonymously, and it was only exposed after the crowdfunding platform collecting money for covid-19 protests was hacked.
people rally in support of const. michael brisco, accused of donating to the freedom rally protests, on feb. 6, 2023, at the start of his disciplinary hearing.
dax melmer
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windsor star