An Ottawa Police officer has pleaded guilty to discreditable conduct for writing racist comments on Facebook following the death of Inuk artist Annie Pootoogook.
Sgt. Chris Hrnchiar apologized Tuesday morning for leaving the comments on an Ottawa Citizen story about Pootoogook’s death in September.
Hrnchiar wrote that her death “could be a suicide, accidental, she got drunk and fell in the river and drowned, who knows.”
He also wrote that "much of the Aboriginal population in Canada is just satisfied being alcohol or drug abusers."
At a hearing Tuesday morning, Hrnchiar apologized to the Aboriginal community.
“I want to apologize to everyone sincerely for my actions,” he said. “I am sorry for the hurt I caused.”
Both the police force and the defence are recommending Hrnchiar will be demoted from sergeant to first-class constable for three months, and will have to undergo sensitivity training.
The decision on a sentence will be delivered Dec. 7.
