News Release
SIU Lays Charges against Chatham-Kent Police Service Officer
Case Number: 16-OSA-214
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Tony Loparco, has caused charges to be laid against a Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) officer in relation to an incident that occurred in May of 2013.
On August 16, 2016, the SIU was contacted by the police service regarding a complaint of a sexual nature against a CKPS officer. The alleged sexual assault took place on May 4, 2013 against a 33-year-old woman.
As a result of the SIU investigation, 46-year old Constable Kenneth Miller with the CKPS is now facing the following charges under the Criminal Code:
- One count of sexual assault, contrary to s. 271; and
- One count of breach of trust by public officer, contrary to s. 122.
Constable Miller is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 425 Grand Avenue West in Chatham on April 4, 2017.
The matter is now properly before the courts. In consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will make no further comment.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must
- consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
- depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
- publicly report the results of its investigations