OPP launches investigation after video shows officer express support for convoy protest
Posted February 13, 2022 8:56 pm.
Last Updated June 24, 2022 1:16 pm.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has been made aware of a video circulating online that calls an officer’s professionalism into question after he’s recorded expressing support for the truck convoy in Ottawa.
A video was posted to a Twitter account called the Coalition Against More Surveillance on Saturday, February 12, and it shows an OPP officer talking to convoy supporters on their way to the Ottawa protest.
“I haven’t been to Ottawa but I’ve heard nothing but great things for our protesters,” the officer said. “Wait ’til you there.”
After an invitation from the driver and the passenger of the pick-up truck to join them at the protest, the officer said “he’d love to” but had commitments at home to attend to.
“Us OPP, we’re a little bit different than municipality police, we’re not going to go start taking jerry cans.”
He also goes on to say that he supports the convoy “100 per cent.”
RELATED: City of Ottawa strikes deal with ‘Freedom Convoy’ organizers: mayor
In a statement to CityNews, OPP said the video has raised concerns about professionalism and depicts opinions that are not in line with the OPP’s values.
“We recognize that the views expressed by the member have caused public upset,” the statement said.
“The OPP’s role is to ensure public safety, enforce the law and keep the peace. While the OPP supports the right of people to conduct lawful demonstrations, it does not condone the current illegal activity or behaviour. Under the recent province-wide state of emergency, those who defy the law will be held accountable.”
This is OPP pretty much cheering these people on as they get to ‘Ottawa’.
“Wait till you get there ????”
“I get what you guys are doing”
“I support you guys 100%”Cops are not here to keep people safe. /2 pic.twitter.com/t2w7feVrFl
— Coalition Against More Surveillance (@CAMSOttawa) February 13, 2022
The statement goes on to say that officers are expected to complete their professional obligations while maintaining the highest standard of conduct, integrity and ethical behaviour at all times.
The officer in the video has not been identified. The location of which the video was shot is also not made available, although OPP said in a tweet that the incident happened during a traffic stop.
Further to their comment, OPP tweeted the following: “For those asking, the matter has been brought to the attention of OPP Command, and the OPP Professional Standards Unit has launched an internal conduct investigation into this matter. We cannot comment or speculate on the outcome of the investigation.”
