Jaswal won't take interim chief's post as investigation unfolds

With accusations of intimidation and harassment swirling around him, Deputy Chief Uday Jaswal won't take a turn as interim chief of the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) this summer as planned.

Jaswal is one of three senior police officialsunder investigation by theOntario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC)for their conduct while employed by the Durham Regional Police Service.

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An OCPCreport details allegationsthatJaswal"acted in an overbearing, intimidating, harassing and/or tyrannical manner toward both sworn and civilian members of the police service" while working as Durham's deputy chief.

Deputy [Chief]Jaswal has proposed that it would be better thathe not assume the role ofinterim chief of police.- Coun. Diane Deans

Durham's police chief has been relieved of some of his duties while the investigation unfolds.

Jaswal was slated to fillin asOttawa's interim police chief in July.

On Monday, Coun. Diane Deans, chair of the Ottawa Police Services Board, said Jaswaltold her the allegations against him are unfounded, and that he's confidenta fair and transparent investigation will clear his name.

"Nevertheless, so that the investigation does not serve to distract the focus on the important work of the Ottawa Police Service, Deputy [Chief]Jaswal has proposed that it would be better thathe not assume the role ofinterim chief of police," Deans said.

"I appreciate Deputy [Chief]Jaswal's concern for the well-being of the organization, and will therefore be recommending to the board that Deputy [Chief Steve] Bell remain in the role of interim chief."

High profile with OPS

CBChas obtained a copy of the order-in-council in which Jaswal is named along with Durham's chief of police, Paul Martin, and chief administrative officer Stan MacLellan.

According to the allegations, which have not been proven in court, thethree may have "ignored, covered-up, attempted to cover-up, allowed, tolerated, encouraged, participated in, and/or were wilfully blind to potential and/or alleged criminal conduct and/or misconduct."

Jaswalspent two years as deputy chief of the Durham Regional Police Servicebefore returning to the Ottawa Police Service asdeputy chief last summer.

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Prior to his move to Durham,Jaswal oversaw Ottawa's guns and gangs unitas well as the human trafficking unit. He was responsible for drafting a plan to give every frontline Ottawa police officer access to a taser.

Board knew of allegations: Skof

As asuperintendent with the OPS,Jaswal also presided over disciplinary hearings for officers who violated the Police Services Act, and served as chair of the Ottawa Youth Services Board.

Matt Skof, president of the Ottawa Police Association, said Jaswal has a great reputation among the ranks of the OPS, and in Ottawa in general.

He said the Ottawa Police Services Board knew about the allegations and investigation when they hired Jaswal last summer.

"It's already in the public venue, soit's a very difficult hurdle now to get over from a reputation perspective, and it's very frustrating," Skof said.