Ottawa police officer charged with assault

An Ottawa police officer has been charged with several counts of assault and could face charges under Ontario's Police Services Act.

The Ontario Provincial Police have charged the 33-year-old Ottawa officer with two counts of assault with a weapon and two counts of assault causing bodily harm, Ottawa police said in a media release Wednesday.

The Ottawa police professional standards section is also investigating, and charges may be laid under the Police Services Act.

"The Ottawa Police Service takes the conduct of its members very seriously and holds all sworn officers to a standard that is consistent with community expectations and their oath of office," Gilles Larochelle, acting chief of the Ottawa police, said in the media release.

"In cases where an officer is found to be in violation of these standards, discipline will be sought."

The officer was suspended from duty with pay pending the outcome of the criminal charges.

Ottawa Police and the OPP would not release the name of the officer in order to "protect the victims' privacy and prevent further victimization."

CBC.CA