Ottawa police officer admits peer pressure influenced false traffic warnings

An Ottawa police officer said peer pressure and a desire to boost his statistics led him to write false traffic warnings, according to an agreed statement of facts at a disciplinary hearing.

The Professional Standards Section has recommended an 18-month demotion for Const. Edward Ellis, after he admitted to 42 instances of misconduct in 2015. A decision on his penalty is expected in September.

• 11 Ottawaofficers investigated over false traffic warnings

Ottawa Police Chief CharlesBordeleau confirmed in March that an internal investigation was launched after 11officers were accused of falsely boosting the number of warning tickets handed out in the force's record management system. Two officers, including Ellis, were suspended pending the investigation, while nine more were placed on administrative duty.

In June, Const. Bernard Covic was demoted for seven months after admitting to falsifying four traffic warnings. The demotion from first-class tosecond-class constable comes with a pay cut of $9,600. He was among the nine officers reassigned but has returned to his position, according to Ottawa police.Read the decision here.

Elliswas suspended in the fall of 2015, after a fellow officer discovered the driver's copies andassociated payment slips for six tickets in Ellis's cruiser.

Over the course of an investigation, the Professional Standards Section found 42 instances of misconduct, including eight instances in which he failed to notify the driver of an offence, and 34 instances in which he issued warnings withoutany evidence to support the offence, according to the agreed statement of facts.

Ellis was hired by the Ottawa Police Service in 2005.

Read the full agreed statement of facts here.