A survey of Ontario police boards shows strong support for the idea of giving police chiefs more authority when it comes to not paying officers who are under suspension for major offenses.

Currently, that’s not allowed under the Police Services Act but many like North Bay’s Chief Shawn Devine want that to change.

He says he’s hoping to see changes that would allow police boards or chiefs to suspend officers or employees without a hearing.

He says the guilt of the officer wouldn’t be determined as the appeals system would still be in place for officers but it would make the system more transparent with the general public and help the bottom line as well.

The current Police Services Act became law in 1990, and the province has committed to reopening the legislation in order to modernize it, with a new version to be introduced this spring.