Peel cop facing child porn, fraud charges
30-year veteran Craig Wattier worked in Special Victims, Tech Crimes Units
A Peel Regional Police detective with 30 years on the force, including time spent on the Special Victims Unit, is facing several charges involving child pornography and fraud, Peel police said Wednesday.
Peel police Chief Jennifer Evans ordered the Internal Affairs Bureau to investigate “fraudulent activity” involving the detective, Craig Wattier, after receiving a complaint in April.
Wattier, the supervisor assigned to the Technological Crime Unit, was arrested Wednesday by the Peel Regional Police’s Internal Affairs Bureau and charged with accessing child pornography, possessing child pornography, breach of trust and two counts of fraud over $5,000.
“I take these allegations very seriously,” Evans said. “The officer has been suspended with pay in accordance with the current legislation under the Police Services Act. As a police service there will be difficult days ahead but these allegations should not detract from the great work that is done on a daily basis by the other members of this police service.”
Wattier became a police officer in 1985 and has served in several units, including Intelligence Services, according to a Peel police flyer advertising a 2013 national forum on law enforcement occupational safety and health.
He was also officer-in-charge at the Major Collision Bureau from 2007 to 2012 and also served as a detective at the Special Victims Unit.
In 2008, while he was a constable, Wattier received a police commendation, which was “presented to Officers who have performed a most outstanding service, made a significant contribution to this Police Service or community, or demonstrated continued excellence in the performance of their duties and dedication to the Peel Regional Police,” said a Peel police release at the time.
Wattier is scheduled to appear in a Brampton courthouse for a bail hearing Thursday.
The investigation is continuing.