OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
The cell phone video captured an OPP officer speaking freely and expressing his support for the protestors.
"I'm on board with you guys, but just no profanity," said Officer Stephenson.
With an apparent anti-Trudeau government protest outside on Thursday during an electric vehicle announcement by the Prime Minister at Honda manufacturing in Alliston, Ont., the officer can then be heard saying:
"There's 6,000 of us employed on the OPP. I'm pretty sure that not 6,000 voted for Trudeau," said Stephenson.
The interaction caught the attention of the OPP on Friday.
"The video has raised concerns about professionalism and depicts opinions that are not in line with the OPP's values," said OPP Sergeant Rob Simpson.
The officer appeared to comment on and agree with the man's criticisms of the criminal justice system. The OPP said it is reviewing the matter and taking it seriously.
"The OPP respects everyone's right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. We also recognize the rights of the general public, local residents and elected officials to a safe environment," said Simpson.
While the prime minister didn't address the incident directly, he reinforced the public's right to peaceful protest.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
"In a democracy, your freedom to disagree with the government is something we perhaps take for granted here in Canada, but that they cannot take for granted in far too many places around the world," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Chris Lewis, a CTV Public Safety Analyst and Former OPP Commissioner said "I think it creates a perception in the public that police are politicized, and that shouldn't be the case."
Lewis said the officer appeared professional in his interaction with the protestor.
"Where I think he crossed the line is when he started talking about members of the OPP that maybe didn't vote for the Prime Minister, and that's not his role to get involved in that political end of things. Expressing his own support for them, etc., you need to stay neutral when you're in those roles," said Lewis.
The OPP told CTV News it would not be providing further information on the investigation or the officer's status, saying it remains committed to maintaining the public's trust and confidence in the communities it serves.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From collapsing ecosystems to artificial intelligence running wild, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the coming years.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Air turbulence: When can it become dangerous?
Flight turbulence like that encountered by a Singapore Airlines flight on Tuesday is extremely common, but there's one aspect of severe turbulence an aviation expert says can lead to serious injury.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.