Discreditable Conduct Police Services Act hearing dates set for Barrie officer

Barrie Police Services Inspector Valarie Gates. (Source: LinkedIn)

A previously-rescheduled Police Services Act appearance for Barrie police Insp. Valarie Gates was held Monday afternoon over teleconference.

Gates, a police officer for nearly 30 years, is facing two counts of discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act for what the Barrie Police Service said related to “an on-duty, internal incident” involving another Barrie officer.

Motion dates were set for late August with a monthly return date scheduled in early April to update the parties on the status of the case.

Prosecutor Jessica Barrow and defence lawyer Joanne Mulcahy, who is representing Gates, attended the brief appearance before adjudicator, retired Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Supt. Morris Elbers.

The defence has requested further outstanding disclosure from the OPP and said it still had not received the production orders requested.

Gates was first charged with discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act 15 months ago following an investigation conducted by the Ontario Provincial Police Office of Professionalism, Respect, Inclusion and Leadership. Half a year later, Gates was charged with a second count in June 2024. The second charge is scheduled to be addressed Tuesday morning over teleconference.

Barrie police said Gates remains on active duty. She is married to Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston.

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