More than a year after Deputy Chief Matt Funnell was put on paid leave, Kingston Police have announced that he will be retiring – but they still haven’t clarified the reason for his suspension.
Funnell’s suspension was first mentioned by a local newspaper in December 2024.
Kingston Police didn’t provide any updates in the months that followed, but on Wednesday, the police service and the city’s police board confirmed that Funnell’s time with them is coming to an end.
The statement indicated that Funnell’s “pre-retirement leave” started on Feb. 1, but he will keep his rank until Dec. 31.
Coun. Greg Ridge, who leads the police board, confirmed that Funnell will continue receiving pay until the year’s end. According to Ontario’s Sunshine List, Funnell made $226,724 in 2024.
The announcement about his retirement praises Funnell’s 28 years of service but doesn’t mention anything about his suspension.
“Deputy Chief Funnell’s career reflects a deep commitment to public service, professionalism, and community partnership,” reads a quote attributed to Ridge.
Kingston Police Chief Adam Mac Intosh, who took over at the end of January when Funnell had already been suspended for more than a year, is quoted praising the deputy chief’s “lasting contribution to this organization and to the members he led.”
When asked about the positive tone of the statement, Ridge said it was “important to recognize the contributions” he’d made.
The Kingston Police Association represents officers and stated that lengthy investigations and suspensions “create uncertainty, diminish morale, and place additional strain on front-line resources.”
“The repeated use of pre-retirement leave by the Kingston Police Service Board has also contributed to uncertainty and ongoing speculation among our members,” wrote president Darcy Pettie in an email to CBC.
Still no explanation for suspension
The deputy chief was taken off active duty just three months after being promoted.
Since then, various chairs of the police service board have refused to comment on why Funnell was suspended, calling it confidential.
Ridge, who became chair of the board last week, remained equally tight-lipped.
“Because this is a matter of employment, I’m not able to divulge any additional information regarding the status of Deputy Chief Funnell’s employment,” he said.(Dan Taekema/CBC)
The lack of clarity around his suspension has received criticism from groups advocating for police transparency as well as from academics studying accountability within law enforcement.
Erick Laming , a Trent University professor whose research focuses on police oversight , suggested boards should have more freedom when it comes down informing public regarding such suspensions.
“It does really hurt your transparency efforts,” Laming said. “It can take a long time to build public trust , and it can be really easy mismanage public trust.”
‘The community deserves answers’: PAO
Mark Baxter , president of the Police Association Ontario , has repeatedly called for more information about Funnel’s suspension be released publicly.
Baxter pointed out since the suspension both civilian sworn members Kingston’s police force have faced investigations with details becoming public.
Baxter acknowledged balancing protecting privacy while keeping citizens informed can be tricky however says lack thereof undermines trust between officers involved.
“It’s remarkable that after fifteen months Kingston Services Board still refuses meaningful information regarding circumstances surrounding [Funnel] ‘s suspension ,”Baxter stated Wednesday.
“The Board demanded transparency from others yet fails meet same standard when dealing senior leadership which deserve answer accountability silence.”
Ridge acknowledges rumors speculations fill void created by absence public knowledge understands every organization has its own responsibilities obligations ensure employees’ privacy protected properly.”I recognize this fragility” adding intention collaborate city ‘ s new chief restore trust greater accountability transparency wherever possible.”
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