Police officer William Barlow dismissed from Ottawa Police Service

This morning, Supt. Robert Fitches (retired), who was overseeing the Ontario Police Service Act charges against Ottawa Police Service Cst. William Barlow, rendered a decision dismissing the officer.

The Police Services Act charges stems from an investigation by the Professional Standards Section in relation to incidents that occurred between October 11, 2006 and September 24, 2007.

On June 2, 2010, Cst. Barlow was found guilty of four counts of Neglect of Duty; two counts of Breach of Confidence; two counts of Insubordination and one count of Discreditable Conduct under the Police Services Act whereas he failed to properly document and account for his contacts with an informant; he met with an informant alone on more than one occasion while on duty and off duty in contravention with OPS Policy #5.21; he disclosed information from OPS Records Management System to an informant on more than one occasion; he disobeyed a lawful order pertaining to access of CPIC on more than one occasion; he knowingly made a false statement in an investigative action report regarding recovery of stolen property; he neglected or omitted promptly and diligently to perform a duty regarding recovery of stolen property (musical equipment); he communicated to an unauthorized person any matter connected with OPS, specifically notified an informant of an ongoing police operation; he made a false statement in an investigative action regarding the location of a stolen vehicle; he neglected or omitted promptly and diligently to perform a duty regarding recovery of stolen property (stolen vehicle); he disobeyed a lawful order not to communicate with an informant; and he jeopardized the safety of an informant for unauthorized purposes.

Ottawa Police Chief Vern White sought the dismissal of Cst. Barlow from the Ottawa Police Service given the seriousness of the breach of public trust and confidence.

Cst. Barlow, who has been suspended from duty with pay since February 15, 2008, has the right to appeal the decision, within 30 days, to the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC).