Ottawa police officer accused of accessing police databases in death of infant and child cases
A public disciplinary hearing continued Thursday for an Ottawa Police constable who allegedly accessed police database to get private information in the deaths of nine infant and child cases.
Cases where she had no investigative role or responsibility in.
Const. Helen Grus is facing one charge of discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act. The virtual disciplinary hearing is being led by retired police Supt. Chris Renwick.
According to police documents, police allege between June 2020 and January 2022, Grus acted in a "disorderly manner" when Grus "self-initiated an unauthorized project" and accessed private information from nine child or infant death cases. Police say Grus did not record her involvement or findings in the file.
Grus is also facing allegations of interference when police say in January 2022, she allegedly contacted the father of a deceased baby to ask the COVID-19 vaccination status of the mother. Police say Grus did not tell the lead detective in the case and did not have authorization.
Police say the acts are an offence contrary to Police Services Act.
Grus first appeared before the disciplinary hearing in August.
On Thursday, Angela Stewart, representing the prosecution, asked for more time to disclose additional information to the defence.
Grus has waived legal representation and was joined at the hearing by Pam Twining of the Ottawa Police Association.
Stewart says both parties have had discussions, but Twining is waiting for an offer in writing to take to Grus.
The next step in the hearing will take place on Oct. 11.
The allegations have not been proven in front of the hearing.
The Ottawa Police Association says they do not generally comment on an ongoing hearing, but says Const. Grus has the support of the OPA during this trying and difficult time.
Cst. Grus has been suspended with pay since February 4, 2022.
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.
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.
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.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
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.
B.C. theatre to pay $55K to neurodivergent actor in discrimination case
British Columbia's human rights tribunal has awarded a neurodigergent actor, who was diagnosed with sensory and learning disorders, more than $55,000 after finding that a Kelowna theatre company discriminated against him because of his disabilities.
Who's responsible for regulating cannabis stores operating under the sovereignty banner?
It's not quite clear who is supposed to be regulating so-called sovereign cannabis stores or even ensure they're benefiting Indigenous communities.