Sudbury police officers Chris Labreche, Kathryn Howard charged with fraud

The Greater Sudbury Police Service has laid charges against two of its ownpolice officers following a criminal investigation regarding the alleged misuse of company insurance benefits.

• Sudbury Police Constable Chris Labreche charged with assault

Tuesday, Constable Christopher Labreche and Constable Kathryn Howard were arrested and charged with several counts of fraudand uttering forged documents.

Police say the GSPS Professional Standards Bureaulaunched an investigation into the activities of the two involved officers back in August,after receiving complaints from the benefits provider.

As a result both members had been assigned to non-operational duties.

"As the Chief of Police for the Greater Sudbury Police Service I am extremely disappointed that two of our officers have been charged criminally,"said Chief Paul Pedersen.

"I also want to reassure our community that we are an organization that is accountable and transparent, and further that we will not tolerate this type of behaviour. I have confidence in the judicial systems and processes in place to deal with these matters."

Pedersen added that,"day in and day out, 99 per cent of our officers are doing a fantastic jobs. Unfortunately actions like this tarnish the rest of us.The entire force is disappointed to hear these allegations."

Labreche and Howard have been "taken completely off of any operational duties and been assigned to administrative duties during the entire criminal court and police process," Pedersen continued.

"They still get paid. Absolutely...the Police Act doesn't provide for us to withhold pay ... With respect to their assignment, it's either suspend them with pay at home, or take away their operational duties and have them do meaningful work at the police station in an administrative capacity."

Howard and Labreche will appearin court Oct.28.

If the officers are found guilty of the criminal charges, they could face up totwo years in jail. If they are found guilty of misconduct under the Police Services Act, the officers could face anythingfrom reprimand to dismissal.

Labreche is also facing an assault charge in connection with an incident back in June of last year.