An Ottawa Police officer is facing charges after allegedly making racially motivated comments online about a well-known Inuit artist .
Sgt. Chris Hrnchiar is charged with two counts of discreditable conduct under the Police Service Act. The charges will be heard on November 1.
The charges come more than a month after Annie Pootoogook, a well-respected Inuit artist, was found dead in the Rideau River . Police initially ruled out foul play, but later reversed that decision. Her death is now considered suspicious .
In a comment section on an online article after her death, the officer allegedly wrote derogatory comments linking Pootoogook's death to the larger issue of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.
Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau says the charges are of "serious nature," and is "pleased" the force was able to expedite the investigation.
