Const. James Ramsay, 39, was suspended with pay Thursday afternoon following a two-week investigation launched by Chief Peter Sloly into the origin of a photo collage depicting 13 officers, with the words: "Ottawa Police Service — We're always hiring...anyone." Three of the officers who appear in the meme were recently charged by the RCMP in an alleged tow truck kickback scheme. Others are facing criminal charges including assault, or have been convicted of offences including impaired driving and unlawful entry. Some of the officers are facing charges under the Police Services Act. A second version of the meme included an image of Deputy Chief Uday Jaswal, currently suspended with pay after two women came forward with allegations of sexual harassment. Most of the officers depicted in the photo collage are men of colour. "It targets a number of racialized members within the service. It is an overt act of racism and it is unacceptable," Sloly said during a virtual meeting of the Ottawa police services board in late April. Ramsay has not been formally charged under the Police Services Act, and other officers are still being interviewed at this point. The Ottawa Police Association (OPA) is calling Ramsay's suspension unfair, and says the chief has already prejudiced the investigation by calling the meme "racist." "Regardless if it being on the topic of race or any other investigation, the chief is entitled to his opinion. But when [police chiefs] are the only ones with the authority to conduct an investigation under the Police Services Act, it becomes an abuse of process when there is predetermination of guilt or facts or intent," said OPA president Matt Skof. Skof says Ramsay identifies as Métis, and said the matter could have been dealt with under the human resources department's respectful workplace policy framework.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottaw...sion-1.5571504
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