Ottawa police hold hearing on campus

By Faiza Wasim

wasi0010@algonquincollege.com

Algonquin was the site of  a police disciplinary hearing last year, but it’s not the first time the Ottawa force has done so.

“One of the main reasons why we hold disciplinary hearings here at Algonquin is due to the lack of space at Ottawa police headquarters,” said Marie Coady of the Ottawa police professional standards section.

Police disciplinary hearings have also been held here because Algonquin and the Ottawa police have a partnership where potential officers are trained at the Police and Public Safety Institute. In that same building, Ottawa police also have a Professional Development Centre.

“There were several other choices where we could have had these hearings such as 10th  Line Road in Cumberland and Greenbank Road in Nepean but we chose the Professional Development Centre at Algonquin College because of its accessibility for us and the public, these hearings are just like any other court case in that they are open to the public and are transparent.  If they are held behind closed doors, the public will start thinking that we have something to hide,” said Staff  Sgt. Denis Cleroux.

Members of police forces in Ontario are subject to the Police Services Act, while non-sworn members are subject to the labour laws of Ontario, just like any other employee anywhere else in Ontario.

If an officer has committed an offence, he or she is first charged under the Criminal Code of Canada and if the officer is found guilty of that offence then he or she is also guilty for discrediting the force under the Police Services Act.

A police officer of equal or higher rank than the officer named in the complaint,  or legal counsel or agent, is appointed by the chief to assume the role of prosecutor and to present the evidence.  A senior police officer or former police officer of the rank of inspector or above acts as the hearing to consider the evidence and decide the outcome of the complaint.

The hearing officer may impose penalties including dismissal, demotion, loss of pay, suspension without pay, or a reprimand.  An officer may also be directed to undergo specified counselling, treatment or training.

This is where the Professional Development Centre at Algonquin College plays an important role, which is to change negative behaviour and to reinforce positive behaviour through many professional development programs.  The officer’s background is examined.  Also, the possible benefits that the officer brings to the force is examined and whether or not the officer may have been going through a rough time  and was familiar with the policies and procedures in place.

If not the officer is retrained to do the job properly so that he or she does not reoffend.  However, if the officer commits an offence the second time around, then he or she may have to lose six days of salary.  If the officer reoffends the third time around, a hearing is held and if the offence is severe enough, it may lead to the officer’s dismissal and a note which stays on the officer’s record for five years.

“Sometimes charges are laid right in the first appearance and sometimes it may take four to six months, we can’t have an officer doing something wrong and not deal with it soon,” said Staff Sgt. Cleroux, “ we try to educate our officers to be flexible in the many different situations that they may find themselves in.”

Officers are taught to not take insults from the people they arrest personally, because people just don’t like being told what to do.

“We, at the professional standards section, are like a parent, we always want the best and we are always trying to improve our kids, in this case around almost 5,100 kids.  Or you can say we are like the vice-principal in a school, making sure that everything runs smooth internally,” Staff Sgt.  Cleroux said.

On Dec. 27, 2005 Const. Umer Khan was charged with using unnecessary or unlawful force and discreditable conduct during a  verbal confrontation.  The closing arguments of this case were scheduled for Jan. 16, 2009, but now they have been cancelled and it is unknown, at press time, when these closing arguments will be held.