CORNWALL – Following the lead of other Eastern Ontario police departments, Cornwall will no longer be naming people charged with crimes.
The exception will be for cases where the Cornwall Police Service determines the name needs to be released to “protect public safety and prevent harm or danger in the community.”
“This decision comes after careful consideration of the need to balance the public’s right to be informed with the importance of respecting the privacy of individuals who have been accused but not yet convicted of a crime,” spokesman Rodney Wilson said in a statement Friday.
Police Chief Shawna Spowart says the department is still “committed to transparency” but also recognizes the “potential harm” that publicizing the names of accused people may cause.
The change takes effect immediately.
Officials with CPS consulted with Cornwall media outlets before making the change.
Other Eastern Ontario police forces, including the Gananoque Police Service and the Brockville Police Service, have not named people charged with crimes.
Local media outlets, including Cornwall Newswatch, will use court records to obtain names of accused people when they are formally charged.