More charges laid against Ottawa officer

An Ottawa police officer previously accused of more than 20 offences, including sexual assault, is now facing more charges.

Ottawa police first charged Const. Eric Post last week, alleging he had committed 21 offences against four women.

Those offences included two counts of sexual assault, two counts of forcible confinement, five counts of assault and one count of pointing a firearm.

Now police say they’ve charged the officer with 11 more offences concerning an additional three alleged victims.

They say the new charges include an additional count of forcible confinement, six counts of breach of trust by an official, two counts of criminal harassment, and one count each of assault and assault with a weapon.

Police say they’re continuing to investigate the 47-year-old Post, adding they believe there may be additional alleged victims.

A lawyer representing Post could not immediately be reached for comment.

The initial round of charges against the officer prompted the force’s chief to issue a statement acknowledging the potential impact on the community and describing the situation as “disturbing.”

Police have otherwise remained tight-lipped about their probe of Post, declining to indicate when they launched their investigation, how far back the allegations date, or what the purported connection with his accusers may be.

Police said Post has been suspended from the force since June, adding he will remain so until further notice.