NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY — A Northumberland OPP officer who was honoured by the Governor General of Canada is facing charge a charge of sexual assault and sexual interference in relation to an investigation by the Provinces Special Investigation Unit.
Northumberland OPP Const. James Orser is facing two counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual interference.
Orser and another officer were awarded the Medal of Bravery from the Governor General of Canada Michaelle Jean in February, 2010 pertaining to a fatal fire on October 27, 2006 in Campbellford.
Twice, another officer entered into the blazing apartment in an attempt to reach the victims, but both times, he was forced out due to the extreme heat and smoke. The officer again re-entered, this time with Orser, but the officers were unsuccessful in reaching any of the children. Firefighters arrived and pulled the victims from the blaze. Two of the young victims died.
Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Ian Scott, said there are “reasonable grounds to believe” that Orser committed crimes in relation to a July 2010 incident involving two females –– one who was 14 at the time of the incident, and one who was 18.
The SIU was contacted by the OPP regarding a complaint against the officer and an investigation was launched.
The officer will appear in Cobourg court on July 25, 2012.
As this matter is now before the courts, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation.
Northumberland OPP Inspector Doug Borton said he could not specifically comment on the investigation, but said, "public trust and confidence is the cornerstone of the OPP and as an organization, the OPP hold their members accountable for their actions both on or off duty. "Although I cannot speak specifically to the matter that resulted in the arrest of James Orser by the province's Special Investigations Unit, I can confirm that he has been suspended from duty."
The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.
http://www.intelligencer.ca/2012/06/19/ ... sex-crimes
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article ... nage-girls
http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/2012 ... ex-charges