'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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.