News Release
Ottawa Police Service Officer Charged
Case Number: 17-OSA-370
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Tony Loparco, has caused charges to be laid against an Ottawa Police Service (OPS) officer in relation to an incident that reportedly occurred in October of 2017.
The SIU was contacted by OPS on November 22, 2017 regarding a complaint of a sexual nature against the officer. The alleged assault reportedly occurred against a woman in Ottawa on October 25, 2017.
As a result of the SIU investigation, Sergeant Aasim Ansari is 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.
Sgt Ansari is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 161 Elgin Street in Ottawa on October 15, 2018.
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 pertaining to this investigation.
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