Currently, if a police officer is suspended because he or she has been charged with a serious crime the officer keeps getting paid until the issue is dealt with in court.

The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police wants the Police Services Act to change and city council agrees.

Council passed a motion to that effect last night (Monday).

It was authored by Councillor Chris Mayne, who says in the last 14 years, 4 local officers have been paid while suspended and it has cost the local taxpayer $1.1-million.

He says there’s no incentive for someone who feels they don’t have a successful case to settle.

As a result, Mayne says the cases can drag on for several years and the officer can continue to be paid.

If the officer is found not guilty in court then the officer would receive benefits and salary back.

The motion will be sent to premier, Ministry of the Attorney General, the Minister of Labour, the Association of Northern Ontario Municipalities, MPP Vic Fedeli and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police .