The Ottawa Police Service Professional Standards Unit has charged Constable Neilson under the Police Services Act and has provided her notice that if convicted they will be seeking a penalty of dismissal or demotion. This charge stems from a donation the officer made to the freedom convoy.

They assert that the donation was made at a time when the Ottawa Police “were already facing pushback for failing to remove them.” They also assert that the donation was likely to discredit the reputation of the Ottawa Police Service.

Police on Guard feels that some very important facts must be pointed out. There were serious privacy breaches that resulted in the names of donors being made public. The officer donated as a private citizen with no intent to represent herself as a member of the police service.

Additionally, there has been no resolution to the legality of the convoy. A Parliamentary Committee is reviewing the use of the Emergency Act, while legal cases and challenges are still before the courts. In fact, if established case law is any indication it will be shown that the convoy was lawful. We have previously written about an Ottawa Judges comments when the city brought an injunction on the use of horns. Every Canadian has a right to protest as guaranteed by the Charter.

To threaten an officer with dismissal based on a donation to a protest is unacceptable. Should every Canadian who donated to the Liberal party face termination from their employment because of the Prime Minister’s actions and comments?

If the Professional Standards Unit is concerned with the reputation of the service what has been done about the countless acts of excessive force against protesters by Ottawa police officers?

Police on Guard stands with Constable Neilson.

To read the Ottawa Citizen article written by Matthew Lapierre, click here