A high-ranking OPP officer is facing a discreditable-conduct charge relating to her after-the-fact involvement in the supposed inappropriate touching between two other employees.
Chief Supt. Angie Howe, who now serves as commander of the force's Field Support Bureau, is charged under the Police Services Act in connection with the incident alleged to have involved one employee grabbing another employee's "crotch" during a mess dinner in September 2015.
Insp. Hazel O'Brien, of OPP's Professional Standards Bureau, said several days have been set aside this December to continue the formal Police Services Act hearing called to determine whether Howe's conduct went against policy.
"The hearing commenced in July," O'Brien said, noting the December dates for the hearing at OPP General Headquarters in Orillia still have to be confirmed.
"If an officer is found guilty of misconduct, the available penalties are listed in the Police Services Act. As this matter is ongoing, it would inappropriate to comment further."
Howe, who is married to former OPP commissioner Chris Lewis, previously served as commander of the OPP's Central Region as well as commander of the force's Career Development Bureau.
In the latter role, Howe was responsible for the force's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention (WDHP) program while also approving recommendations related to the program and being involved in "complex WDHP complaints." She also chaired the force's respectful work committee with a mandate to review and make recommendations regarding the management of WDHP cases.
According to the allegations outlined in the notice of hearing, Howe knew another employee, identified as "AB," had made a WDHP complaint regarding another employee, "BC," stemming from the dinner.
In fact, the filing states Howe was the one who brought the allegations of BC's misconduct to the attention of OPP management and was, therefore, identified as a witness in the incident.
"Between what you observed and the information you received, you knew the allegations brought forth reasonably contained allegations of a violation of WDHP policy, Police Services Act misconduct and/or a criminal offence," the document, signed by OPP Deputy Commissioner Gary Couture last April, states.
According to the allegations, Howe didn't taken a hands-off approach with either individual or the investigators looking into the dinner incident.
The report states Howe offered later that September a to be a "totally confidential shoulder" to BC, with text messages confirming "ongoing friendship and personal support" as well as indicating respect and words to the effect BC "will be back on top shortly!!!!"
The next week, Howe is alleged to have initiated a breakfast meeting with BC and that anything said would be kept "between us."
BC, who had been suspended with pay when the meeting occurred, allegedly told Howe BC couldn't remember what happened due to heavy drinking, but felt "bad, upset and afraid that AB hated BC."
Howe allegedly later received a text in which BC said the chat was "what I needed!"
"You told investigators words to the effect that your relationship with BC was purely professional and minimal outside the investigations," the report states.
It goes on to say Howe spoke with other managers regarding the breakfast meeting and expressed concern about "how the incident was impacting BC and BC's spouse," and one time dropped by to see the investigating officer to chat and left the "responsible officer with the impression you were attempting to elicit sympathy or empathy on behalf of BC."
Later that fall, Howe suggested she and AB get together for lunch to discuss the incident. During that encounter, Howe allegedly told AB how BC "felt humiliated, embarrassed and bad," while leaving AB with the impression Howe was more concerned about the investigation's impact on BC rather than AB.
Further allegations raised in the filing document alleged impromptu meetings Howe had with investigators that November and the following spring.
During those interactions, it's alleged Howe told investigators she didn't know BC was under suspension during their earlier breakfast meeting or that an investigation was ongoing.
"You told investigators that you didn't know BC was under investigation be it criminal, WDHP, disciplinary action or direct management action," the report states. "You told investigators that your conversation with AB was generally about work, promotion and family."
Notwithstanding what Howe told investigators, the report noted she sent an email to a colleague the day after the dinner "demonstrating that you knew allegations included BC grabbing AB's crotch."
The filing concluded: "You knew or reasonably ought to have known your actions and communications were discreditable."
http://www.orilliapacket.com/2017/08/23 ... es-hearing