'Any day an Ottawa police officer is charged criminally is a bad day for us,' board chair says
The chair of the Ottawa Police Services Board says she "absolutely" has confidence in the Ottawa Police Service following the arrests of two constables in a corruption investigation.
On Thursday, Constables Haidar El Badry and Mohamed Mohamed were charged by the RCMP following an investigation by the RCMP Anti-Corruption Unit. Two other people are facing charges.
In an interview with Newstalk 580 CFRA's Weekends with Andrew Pinsent, chair Diane Deans said she can't comment specifically on the case.
"But I can say to you, obviously, as chair of the police services board, any day that an Ottawa police officer is charged criminally is a bad day for us," said Deans Saturday morning.
"We rely on trust and confidence of the public for policing in Ottawa, and that is an erosion of trust when that happens. I suppose to a certain extent when you have a huge workforce there will be times when there's something goes wrong, but it's not a good day and not great for the police service."
Ottawa police announced Thursday evening that two officers were facing charges. In a statement, Chief Peter Sloly said police received information regarding the potential corruption activities involving a member of the service, then asked the RCMP Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate.
Chief Sloly and Ottawa Police Association President Matt Skof declined to comment to CTV News Ottawa on Friday.
"As chief, I know that the charges laid today will shake public trust and harm the morale of our members," Chief Sloly wrote in a statement Thursday evening. "These charges are very serious but do not reflect the overall integrity of OPS members nor do they represent the OPS values."
Pinsent asked Deans if she has confidence in the service and the chief.
"I absolutely have confidence in our police service and in our police chief. He came to Ottawa on a change agenda, he's been doing a great job. He is very dedicated to this city and to the police service and to policing in Ottawa," said Deans.
El Badry, 29, of Ottawa is charged with breach of trust by a public officer, obstructing justice and causing a person to deal with a forged document. Mohamed, 45 of Ottawa is charged with obstructing justice.
The RCMP charged two other people. Ashley El Badry, 29, of Ottawa is charged with forgery and causing a person to deal with a forged document. Mohamed Salameh, 29, of Gatineau charged with dealing with a forged document.
CTV News Ottawa has learned the charges against the two officers are allegedly connected to what Ottawa police called one of the largest single seizures of fentanyl after a raid on Thursday afternoon.
In a separate release on Thursday, Ottawa police announced 1.4 kilograms of fentanyl was seized during a raid at a home on Holmwood Avenue. Ameer El Badry, 23, of Ottawa is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.