Top PSO Blondin suspended

Though still listed as the Public Security Director on the City's web site, Blondin was suspended from duty on Wednesday, Feb. 10, and has been replaced on an interim basis by Public Security Captain Richard Bourdon.

Westmount Director General Duncan Campbell made the announcement last week, but due to the sensitivity of the issue, he said, he could not divulge more details.

Campbell was unavailable for further comment this week, but Human Resources Director Alan Kulaga confirmed that Blondin has been suspended with pay and benefits pending an investigation, and that a full report will be made to city council once the investigation is completed.

In the meantime, Kulaga said, the director general will recommend that Bourdon be promoted to director of Public Security on an interim basis.

Prior to being hired by the City of Westmount to succeed retiring Public Security Director Richard McEnroe in June 2006, Blondin had retired from a long career on the Montreal police force and had served as director of security for the Louis-Hippolyte-Lafontaine Hospital in Montreal's east end.

Capt. Bourdon is also a retired Montreal police officer who has kept up a high profile in the community since his hiring two years ago.

Kulaga emphasized that the current investigation and shift in directors in the Public Security Department will in no way affect service to the community.