News Release
Ottawa Police Service Officer Facing Charges
Case Number: 07-OSA-222
On November 5, 2007, the OPS notified the SIU that a female had come forward and alleged that an on-duty OPS officer had sexually assaulted her in the Ottawa area on November 3, 2007. As a result, four SIU investigators were assigned to probe the allegations.
Based on the evidence from the SIU investigation, the Director has concluded there are reasonable grounds to believe that 38-year-old Acting Sergeant Rohan Beebakhee committed the offences of sexual assault contrary to section 271 of the Criminal Code of Canada and breach of trust contrary to section 122 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
The officer has been released on an Undertaking before an officer-in-charge with conditions. He will appear in court in Ottawa on April 21, 2008. Justice Prosecutions of the Ministry of the Attorney General will have carriage of the prosecution.
As this matter is now before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the charged officer and the community, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation.
If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, 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