An internal investigation into what Ottawa police officers are
calling “phantom” traffic warnings has grown to take in approximately 20
traffic officers, the Citizen has learned.
That is double the number of officers that were the focus of the investigation last November, multiple sources confirmed to the Citizen.
The force’s professional standards section, which investigates officer misconduct, launched a probe into officers allegedly falsifying traffic warnings to skew their internal statistics to suggest more warnings were being handed out.
Traffic warnings, or printed citations, carry no fines, but the number an officer issues is tracked for the purposes of promotion and enforcement efforts.
On Monday, Chief Charles Bordeleau sent an email to the full police service announcing the suspension of Const. Peter Dawson, the second officer to be removed from duties because of the investigation. Const. Edward Ellis, a fellow member of the traffic escort and enforcement unit, was suspended last September.
In November when the Citizen first reported on the internal investigation, Bordeleau said he could not comment on any current investigation.
On Tuesday, asked if the expanded investigation would be handed over to an outside agency such as the Ontario Provincial Police, Bordeleau said that the Ottawa police professional standards unit was leading the ongoing investigation and that he will be in a position to comment once it is completed.
Insp. Chris Rheaume, who oversees the professional standards section, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
syogaretnam@postmedia.com
twitter.com/shaaminiwhy
http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/police-officers-placed-on-desk-duty-amid-fake-traffic-warnings-investigation-1.2808664
CTV Ottawa
Published Tuesday, March 8, 2016 1:26PM EST
Last Updated Tuesday, March 8, 2016 2:34PM EST
That is double the number of officers that were the focus of the investigation last November, multiple sources confirmed to the Citizen.
The force’s professional standards section, which investigates officer misconduct, launched a probe into officers allegedly falsifying traffic warnings to skew their internal statistics to suggest more warnings were being handed out.
Traffic warnings, or printed citations, carry no fines, but the number an officer issues is tracked for the purposes of promotion and enforcement efforts.
On Monday, Chief Charles Bordeleau sent an email to the full police service announcing the suspension of Const. Peter Dawson, the second officer to be removed from duties because of the investigation. Const. Edward Ellis, a fellow member of the traffic escort and enforcement unit, was suspended last September.
Related
Both continue to be paid in accordance with the Police Services Act.In November when the Citizen first reported on the internal investigation, Bordeleau said he could not comment on any current investigation.
On Tuesday, asked if the expanded investigation would be handed over to an outside agency such as the Ontario Provincial Police, Bordeleau said that the Ottawa police professional standards unit was leading the ongoing investigation and that he will be in a position to comment once it is completed.
Insp. Chris Rheaume, who oversees the professional standards section, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
syogaretnam@postmedia.com
twitter.com/shaaminiwhy
http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/police-officers-placed-on-desk-duty-amid-fake-traffic-warnings-investigation-1.2808664
Police officers placed on desk duty amid fake traffic warnings investigation
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CTV Ottawa
Published Tuesday, March 8, 2016 1:26PM EST
Last Updated Tuesday, March 8, 2016 2:34PM EST
Ottawa police have suspended two of their own, and placed nine other
officers on desk duties over allegations they issued fake traffic
warning tickets.
Police say their Professional Standards Section (PSS) started an investigation into the allegations last November.
It started with an officer being accused of entering warnings into the records management system with no evidence, and without the driver knowing.
Warnings don't come with a fine, but they can be used to increase internal statistics.
Police also undertook an audit looking at warning tickets issued by officers, to determine if proper protocols were followed.
“While the audit enabled us to determine that there were no issues related to warning tickets issued in the majority of cases; it also found evidence to warrant further investigation by PSS into the warnings issued by nine other officers,” Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau said in a police release.
Those nine officers are on now on desk duties. Two others had already been suspended as part of the probe.
Police say new quality control measures have been put in place, and more measures are being considered to make sure the rules are being followed when officers issue warning tickets.
“While warning tickets do not carry a monetary fine, issuing warnings in the absence of an offence is a serious issue and it is being addressed,” Bordeleau said.
The investigation is continuing.
Police say their Professional Standards Section (PSS) started an investigation into the allegations last November.
It started with an officer being accused of entering warnings into the records management system with no evidence, and without the driver knowing.
Warnings don't come with a fine, but they can be used to increase internal statistics.
Police also undertook an audit looking at warning tickets issued by officers, to determine if proper protocols were followed.
“While the audit enabled us to determine that there were no issues related to warning tickets issued in the majority of cases; it also found evidence to warrant further investigation by PSS into the warnings issued by nine other officers,” Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau said in a police release.
Those nine officers are on now on desk duties. Two others had already been suspended as part of the probe.
Police say new quality control measures have been put in place, and more measures are being considered to make sure the rules are being followed when officers issue warning tickets.
“While warning tickets do not carry a monetary fine, issuing warnings in the absence of an offence is a serious issue and it is being addressed,” Bordeleau said.
The investigation is continuing.
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