Ottawa police have suspended and charged one of their officers with 21 criminal offences – including sexual assault, harassment, uttering threats and forcible confinement – in connection with accusations made by four separate victims.
Police say investigators arrested Const. Eric Post, 47, on Wednesday morning following an investigation conducted by the sexual assault and child abuse unit.
The Ottawa Police Service says Post was suspended from duty on June 13. The suspended constable made a brief appearance in court via video on Wednesday afternoon.
“These allegations and charges are very serious,” Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau said in a news release. “They run counter to our values and I recognize this information will be disturbing to hear for our community and the members of our service.
“We must now allow the court process to proceed. I want to thank the investigators who have worked on this file for their professionalism.”
A court-ordered publication ban has been imposed in this case that prevents both the reporting of the four complainants’ names and any information that may identify them.
The court has also forbidden Post from contacting the alleged victims.
Post is scheduled to next appear in court on Friday morning and remains in custody. Police said he will remain suspended.
Investigators are concerned there may be other victims and are encouraging them to come forward, the release said.
In total, Post has been charged with:
- five counts of assault
- four counts of harassment by repeated communication
- two counts of sexual assault
- two counts of possession of a dangerous weapon
- two counts of uttering threats
- two counts of forcible confinement
- one count of forcible entry
- one count of intimidation by threat of violence
- one count of pointing a firearm
- one count of careless storage of a firearm
The incidents in question all occurred between 2013 and 2018.
Ottawa police said they initially flagged the allegations to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), who then told them to proceed with an investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service tip line at 613-236-1222, ext. 5760 or via email at mcm@ottawapolice.ca