Ontario Provincial Police Block

Ontario’s police watchdog has charged two officers from the Southern Georgian Bay detachment.

Ontario’s police watchdog has charged another provincial police officer with multiple counts of sexual assault on Tuesday, a day after it was announced an officer from the same detachment was facing similar allegations.

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) says the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reported allegations of sexual assault involving an officer from the Southern Georgian Bay detachment in late February.

According to the SIU, the alleged incidents involving Sgt. Blake Hamilton and a woman in the Township of Tay, Ont., took place in December 2025.

Hamilton is charged with two counts of sexual assault, along with two counts of breach of trust. He was arrested Tuesday morning and later released on multiple conditions, including that he not communicate with the affected individual.

Hamilton is due in court in Midland, Ont., in September.

Second OPP officer charged in two days

The SIU announcement is the second against an officer from the Southern Georgian Bay detachment in as many days.

On Monday, the watchdog charged Const. Zahid Javed with three counts each of sexual assault and breach of trust.

The unit said the allegations involving Zahid and a woman were reported by the OPP in early February. During the course of their investigation, the SIU said it uncovered separate allegations involving two other women.

The police watchdog says the alleged incidents took place between August 2024 and October of last year. Zahid was arrested on Monday and later released under conditions, including that he not communicate with the affected people.

He is due in court in Midland, Ont., in September.

The police watchdog is called to investigate the conduct of officers in the province when police interactions may have resulted in death, serious injury, a firearm discharge or sexual assault. Investigations are led by SIU investigators, who are civilians.

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Provincial police say separate non-criminal investigations will follow court proceedings involving Sgt. Blake Hamilton and Const. Zahid Javed

Two Southern Georgian Bay OPP officers charged with sexual assault and breach of trust in separate investigations have been suspended with pay, the OPP has confirmed.

Const. Zahid Javed and Sgt. Blake Hamilton were charged on consecutive days this week following investigations by Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU).

OPP spokesperson Athena Vethanayagam confirmed that Javed, who had been assigned to general duties at the Southern Georgian Bay detachment since August 2023, is currently suspended with pay.

Hamilton is also suspended with pay. He has been an OPP officer since January 2006 and has been assigned to the Southern Georgian Bay detachment since April 2018, according to Vethanayagam.

"The OPP will conduct its own non-criminal investigation into the matter, relevant to the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 following the conclusion of the criminal matter," Vethanayagam said.

The charges against the two officers stem from separate SIU investigations.

According to the SIU, the alleged offences involving Javed occurred between August 2024 and October 2025.

The OPP notified the SIU on Feb. 6 about an allegation involving an officer and a woman. During its investigation, the SIU said it uncovered separate allegations involving two additional women.

Those charges relate to alleged offences involving a woman in Tay Township in December 2025. The OPP notified the SIU of those allegations on Feb. 24.

Both officers were arrested at SIU headquarters and subsequently released on conditions that include not communicating directly or indirectly with the affected persons.

Both are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland on Sept. 10 at 9:30 a.m.

MidlandToday asked whether the SIU had identified any connection between the two matters. The agency declined to provide further information.

"As these matters are before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will not provide further comment on the investigations," the SIU said.

None of the charges against Javed or Hamilton has been proven in court.

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'No member of our organization is above the law,' says a/Chief Superintendent in wake of sex assault, breach of trust charges against OPP officers

A senior OPP official acknowledged today that public trust in the provincial agency has taken a hit in the wake of sex assault and breach of trust charges in separate incidents involving two Southern Georgian Bay OPP officers.

A/Chief Supt. Coyer Yateman, commander of the OPP's Central Region, issued a statement Thursday addressing the charges and their potential impact on the communities served by the local detachment.

"Our communities place a great deal of trust in the OPP, and incidents such as these can challenge that trust," said Yateman, formerly the Orillia OPP detachment commander..

"Police officers are necessarily held to a higher standard due to the authorities granted to them. When concerns are raised about the conduct of our employees, they are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. No member of our organization is above the law."

"The OPP acknowledges the significance of the recent charges laid against members of the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment. We recognize the seriousness of these reports and understand the impact they may have," Yateman said.

Today's statement comes nearly a week after two officers, on consecutive days, were charged.

Sgt. Blake Hamilton and Const. Zahid Javed have both been suspended with pay after charges were laid by Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU).

Javed is facing three counts of sexual assault and three counts of breach of trust following an SIU investigation involving allegations from three women. The SIU said the alleged offences occurred between August 2024 and October 2025.

Hamilton is facing two counts of sexual assault and two counts of breach of trust relating to alleged offences involving a woman in Tay Township in December 2025.

Both officers are members of the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment and were charged in separate SIU investigations on consecutive days earlier this month.

The OPP previously told MidlandToday it will conduct its own non-criminal investigation under the Community Safety and Policing Act following the conclusion of the criminal matters.

Yateman, in today's statement, said the OPP cannot discuss specific details or evidence while the cases are before the courts, adding that the force will respect the independence of the judicial process and the SIU.

"Trust is earned through actions, not words," Yateman said. "We remain committed to doing the work necessary to maintain the confidence of our communities."

Both officers are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland on Sept. 10.

The charges against Hamilton and Javed have not been proven in court.

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OPP commander says public trust has been shaken following charges against members of Southern Georgian Bay Detachment

The Ontario Provincial Police is facing a public confidence test after members of its Southern Georgian Bay Detachment were charged, prompting the force’s Central Region commander to issue a blunt message: no OPP officer is above the law.

A/Chief Superintendent Coyer Yateman, Regional Commander for the OPP’s Central Region, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and admitted incidents involving police officers can challenge the trust placed in the organization by the communities it serves.

“The OPP acknowledges the significance of the recent charges laid against members of the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment,” Yateman said.

“We recognize the seriousness of these reports and understand the impact they may have.”

The statement comes as the charges move through the courts, meaning the OPP is not commenting on the specific allegations or evidence involved.

But Yateman made it clear that the organization knows the stakes are high.

“Our communities place a great deal of trust in the OPP, and incidents such as these can challenge that trust,” he said.

That trust, Yateman said, comes with an expectation that officers will be held to a higher standard.

“Accountability, professionalism and integrity are fundamental to maintaining public confidence,” he said.

“Police officers are necessarily held to a higher standard due to the authorities granted to them.”

And then came the strongest message in the statement.

“No member of our organization is above the law.”

Yateman said allegations concerning the conduct of OPP employees are taken seriously and are subject to investigation.

“When concerns are raised about the conduct of our employees, they are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated,” he said.

The case also involves the province’s Special Investigations Unit, which operates independently of police services and investigates incidents involving police officers that fall within its mandate.

The OPP said it will respect both the court process and the SIU’s independence.

“As the matter is before the courts, and in consideration of those who came forward, the OPP is unable to discuss specific details or evidence related to the case,” Yateman said.

“We will continue to respect the independence of both the judicial process and the Special Investigations Unit’s mandate.”

For an organization that relies heavily on public cooperation and confidence, Yateman acknowledged that words alone will not repair any damage caused.

“Trust is earned through actions, not words,” he said.

The commander said the OPP will continue working to maintain the confidence of the communities it serves.

“Residents deserve to receive high-quality policing services and should expect nothing less,” Yateman said.

The charges remain before the courts. The allegations have not been proven.


Press Releases Involving Officers

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Professional Standards Unit (PSU) has charged an OPP officer in relation to an on-duty incident.

On Thursday, May 7, 2026, an OPP officer discharged a firearm during a training exercise, where firearm use was neither required nor authorized. The OPP PSU launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

On Monday, August 10, 2026, Harinder THAKUR, 34 years old of Gravenhurst, who is a Provincial Constable with seven years of service, was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:

Careless use of a firearm, section 86 (1)

Reckless discharge of a firearm, section 244.2(1)(a)

The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Orillia on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Provincial Constable THAKUR is a member of the OPP Emergency Response Team and is currently suspended from duty with pay in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act.

SIU Charges Southern Georgian Bay Detachment OPP Officer with Sexual Assault

The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police officer with the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment committed criminal offences between August of 2024 and October of 2025.

On February 6, 2026, the Ontario Provincial Police notified the SIU of an allegation of sexual assault involving an officer and a woman. In the course of its investigation, the SIU uncovered separate allegations involving two additional women.

As a result of the SIU investigations, Cst Zahid Javed is facing the following charges under the Criminal Code:

Three counts of sexual assault contrary to section 271; and

Three counts of breach of trust, contrary to section 122.

Cst Javed was arrested at SIU headquarters this morning and later released on several conditions, including that he refrains from communicating directly or indirectly with the affected persons.

Cst Javed is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 605 Yonge Street in Midland on September 10, 2026.

As the matter is before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will not provide further comment on the investigation.

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In light of two Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers being investigated and charged with sexual assault offences in mid-August, Acting Chief Super. Coyer Yateman, Regional Commander of Central Region for OPP, has spoken out.

“The OPP acknowledges the significance of the recent charges laid against members of the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment. We recognize the seriousness of these reports and understand the impact they may have,” said Yateman.

“Our communities place a great deal of trust in the OPP, and incidents such as these can challenge that trust.”

Yateman is referring to two Special Investigations Unit (SIU) investigations concerning two officers at the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment.

August 17, the SIU announced Southern Georgian Bay OPP Const. Zahid Javed was facing three counts of sexual assault and three counts of breach of trust.

The charges stem from allegations involving three women and incidents the SIU says took place between August 2024 and October 2025.

The probe began after police contacted the SIU on Feb. 6, 2026, regarding an allegation of sexual assault involving an officer and a woman. While investigating that allegation, the SIU said it learned of separate alleged incidents involving two additional women.

A second SIU investigation into the conduct of OPP Sgt. Blake Hamilton at the same detachment, led SIU director Joseph Martino to approve charges against Hamilton.

Martino found he had reasonable grounds to believe that Hamilton committed criminal offences in December 2025 against a woman in Tay Township. The SIU was made aware of the allegations by the OPP on February 24.

As a result of that SIU investigation, Hamilton faces two counts of sexual assault and two counts of breach of trust.

Yateman said accountability and integrity are fundamental to maintaining public confidence in a police service.

“The OPP remains committed to these principles. Police officers are necessarily held to a higher standard due to the authorities granted to them. When concerns are raised about the conduct of our employees, they are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. No member of our organization is above the law,” said Yateman.

As the matter is before the courts, the OPP cannot release details or evidence related to the cases.

“We will continue to respect the independence of both the judicial process and the Special Investigations Unit’s mandate,” he said.

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Const. Zahid Javed faces three counts of sexual assault and three counts of breach of trust following investigations by Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU). The SIU says the alleged offences occurred between August 2024 and October 2025 and involve three women.

The investigation began after the OPP notified the SIU on Feb. 6, 2026, of an allegation of sexual assault involving an officer and a woman. According to the SIU, investigators subsequently uncovered separate allegations involving two additional women.

Javed was arrested at SIU headquarters on Aug. 17 and released on conditions, including that he not communicate directly or indirectly with the affected persons. He is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland on Sept. 10.

In a separate case, Sgt. Blake Hamilton faces two counts of sexual assault and two counts of breach of trust. The SIU alleges the offences occurred against a woman in Tay Township in December 2025. The OPP notified the SIU of those allegations on Feb. 24, 2026.

Hamilton was arrested at SIU headquarters on Aug. 18 and released on conditions, including that he not communicate with the affected person. He is also scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Midland on Sept. 10.

Following the charges, Acting Chief Superintendent Coyer Yateman, Central Region commander for the OPP, issued a statement acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations and their potential impact on public confidence.

“The OPP acknowledges the significance of the recent charges laid against members of the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment. We recognize the seriousness of these reports and understand the impact they may have,” Yateman said.

“Our communities place a great deal of trust in the OPP, and incidents such as these can challenge that trust.”

Yateman said accountability, professionalism and integrity are fundamental to maintaining public confidence and stressed that police officers are held to a higher standard because of the authority given to them.

“When concerns are raised about the conduct of our employees, they are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. No member of our organization is above the law,” he said.

Yateman said the OPP would not discuss specific details or evidence because the cases are before the courts and said the organization would respect the independence of the judicial process and the SIU.

“Trust is earned through actions, not words. We remain committed to doing the work necessary to maintain the confidence of our communities. Residents deserve to receive high-quality policing services and should expect nothing less,” he said.

The SIU is an independent civilian agency that investigates incidents involving police and other officials that may have resulted in death, serious injury, allegations of sexual assault or the discharge of a firearm at a person.

The SIU laid the charges following its investigations. The allegations will be dealt with through the Ontario court system.

None of the allegations against Javed or Hamilton have been proven in court.

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