Ottawa police superintendent charged with sexual assault
An Ottawa police superintendent has been arrested and charged with sexual assault and breach of trust.
Ontario Provincial Police have charged Supt. Mark Patterson with sexual assault, sexual assault committed in a position of trust, power or authority, and breach of trust.
Patterson was arrested and charged on Thursday, Ottawa police said in a news release.
The charges stemmed from alleged incidents involving one complainant between December 2018 and May of this year, police said.
Patterson was suspended in June after allegations of misconduct were made to Ottawa police. The OPP were called in to investigate.
“Ottawa Police takes all allegations of sexual assault and harassment very seriously. We have no tolerance of either. It is damaging and debilitating to all those impacted,” Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs said in the news release.
“The allegations and charges in this case are very serious and it is important that we respect the judicial process and for all the facts to be heard.”
Patterson was released on a promise to appear in court, police said.
He's known for taking a high-profile role in handling major events in Ottawa, including the 'Freedom Convoy' occupation. The Emergencies Act inquiry this fall heard that he was a major event commander for several days during the convoy, and was also a leader in gathering intelligence prior to the protesters' arrival.
However, Patterson did not testify at the inquiry.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
BREAKING London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.