Ottawa police Taser off-duty officer near Parliament

August 10, 2010
Vancouver Sun

OTTAWA — A man Tasered near Parliament Hill on Sunday was an off-duty Ottawa police officer who has been disciplined by the force five times.

Ottawa Police Chief Vern White said the incident was "not in any way criminal or disciplinary."

The 42-year-old constable was stopped at a green light near the entrance to Parliament Hill. His two children were in the car, Const. Kathy Larouche said.

Police approached the car and questioned him.

"He became aggressive due to symptoms of his medical condition," Larouche said. To gain control of the situation, the officers Tasered the man, Larouche said.

He was taken to hospital to be "assessed."

The officer will not be charged criminally or under the Police Services Act.

The Ontario Civilian Police Commission, an independent oversight agency, said the officer faced several disciplinary matters in his 15-year-career. The incidents include firing his gun in a police station locker-room, being "uncivil to a member of the service during an incident at a restaurant," and fleeing the scene of a car accident.