Three Ottawa Police officers are tonight facing criminal charges in connection with a botched training exercise last year.

The training exercise took place on March Road, June 18, 2014. Tactical officers were using explosives to stage a forced entry into an abandoned home.

Five people were injured in the explosion, including two paramedics who were seriously hurt.

The SIU began an investigation into the circumstance of the explosion and today three officers are charged. 

Sergeant Martin Rukavina, Constable Serge Clement, and Constable Carl Grimard are facing charges of Criminal Negligence Causing Bodily Harm, and Breach of Duty regarding an explosive substance.

“This just takes a chilling effect on our membership, when they have been given sworn duties to execute a mandate given by the public, and now they will second guess it all the time,” says Matt Skof, President of the Ottawa Police Association.

Last month, the Ministry of Labour laid 10 charges against the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Police Services Board in connection with this incident, alleging inadequate education and training.

The officers are scheduled to appear in court September 8th, 2015.