Number of harassment complaints withheld
The Ottawa Police Service has refused to detail how many active complaints of sexual harassment or sexual assault it has within its ranks.
The service does say, though, that it is committed to preventing and reducing workplace violence and will present a plan to the police board on Monday.
Questions about the number of known complaints and whether women fear reprisal should they come forward with allegations against their fellow officers were raised after three female police employees accused deputy chief Uday Jaswal of sexual harassment.
A civilian watchdog has charged Jaswal with six counts of misconduct under the Police Services Act, alleging that he harassed the women, breached policy by doing so and brought discredit upon the police force. The allegations span 11 years and were made by one civilian employee and two police officers. Jaswal was suspended by the police board in March after he was first charged by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission.
The union representing rankand-file officers and civilian employees said there are more women with allegations against Jaswal but they fear reprisal by officers and the organization.
While the public allegations against Jaswal have lifted a veil on some alleged conduct, there remain questions about sexual harassment in the service as a whole. Complaints have historically been resolved informally and through internal processes.
In a statement to the Citizen that was made the same day the police board agenda was publicized, Chief Peter Sloly said the service “is fully committed to improving our ability to prevent and reduce incidents of workplace sexual violence and harassment.”
Sloly said that “includes efforts to increase member confidence to report such incidents while protecting members from any related acts of reprisal.”
He also said there “will be a presentation at the Ottawa Police Services Board meeting … on the major investments and developments underway to build a healthier, safer and more respectful workplace while advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in the OPS.”
In addition to asking for the number of active complaints, the Citizen also asked what happens when a member makes a sexual harassment complaint against another
(There) will be a presentation at the Ottawa Police Services Board meeting … on the major investments and developments underway.
member, whether there is an investigation, whether parties are transferred to avoid contact with each other, and whether harassers are disciplined. The service did not answer.
The police board agenda shows that the service has amended its equity, diversity and inclusion action plan, which was approved in February, before Jaswal was charged. The amendment is to “improve complaint resolution process for members and supervisors, including a special project focused on addressing sexual violence and harassment in the workplace.”