Police chief defends refusal to suspend senior officers under criminal investigation

The allegations of possible obstruction of justice, fraud and evidence manipulation by three senior Ottawa police officers are so alarming that police Chief Charles Bordeleauasked an outside police force to look into it.

Yet, despite requesting the Ontario Provincial Policeinvestigation, the three officers with ranks of inspector and above are still doing their regularworkwith no restrictions placed on them.

[Skof's]characterization that there is favouritism based on rank is as flawed and untrue as it is divisive.- Ottawa police Chief Charles Bordeleau

Ottawa Police Association president Matt Skof saysBordeleau's decision not to suspend or transfer the executive members under investigationhas angered junior officers, who view it as preferential treatment.

Bordeleau defended his decision for the first time Monday eveningin front of the Ottawa Police Services Board, the oversight body that has the authority to force him to impose disciplinary measures.

"There is an allegation that there is a double standard and that the process is unfair and that is simply untrue," said Bordeleau.'

The chief told board membershe'saware of the need to be "consistent and transparent," but is limitedin his ability to fully disclose the reasons behind his decision because of privacy and legislative restrictions.

Of 94 officers investigated, only 6 suspended/transferred

Officer suspensions aren't common,Bordeleausaid.So far this year94 Ottawa police officers have been investigated for violations under the Police Services Act and the Criminal Code.

Of them, only fivesworn members have been suspended and onecivilian member has been punitively transferred.

"It would be unfair for me as chief to use an allegation as a primary basis for suspension," said Bordeleau,who then accused Skofof being divisive.

"[Skof's]characterization that there is favouritism based on rank is as flawed and untrue as it is divisive."

This war of words began after criminal defence lawyer Michael Edelsonwrote a letter to the chief alleging senior officers gave false statements to the Special Investigations Unit during its probe of atactical training explosion. Five people were injured in the explosion and the subsequent SIU investigation led to charges against a staff sergeant and two sergeants.

Those charges were later stayed.

On Wednesday the OttawaPolice Services Board released a statement saying they were "unanimously satisfied" withBordeleau'shandling of the suspensions, finding no evidence of preferential treatment.

'Causes extreme prejudice'

Despite the chief's defence of his actions,Skof saidBordeleau'shistory of meting out discipline shows that he'sprotecting senior officers at the "expense of public confidence and officer morale."

"There are scenarios where officers of junior ranks have been suspended for identical, and I would argue far less serious, allegations. But for senior officers you're not seeing administrative reassignments, let alone suspensions," he said.

The chief's refusal to suspendsenior officers is perpetuating a cycle of hypocrisy while damaging the ability of the force to hold its members accountable, Skof added.

The three officers in the executive ranks being investigated by the OPPpreside over large portfolios and are also responsible for recommending punishment forlower-ranked officers within their units found guilty of misconduct or criminal wrongdoing.

Skof refused to elaborate, but saidhe's seen multiple conflicts arise between junior and senior officers during the disciplinary process.

"These people are implicated in criminal allegations and it causes extreme prejudice against all files going forward. It taints the entire process," he said.