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CTV News
06-08-2025
- CTV News
Ottawa police constable demoted for 18 months following sexual harassment hearing
An Ottawa Police Service constable has been demoted for 18 months after pleading guilty to making sexually suggestive comments to a colleague and slapping her buttocks. Const. Charles Benoit was found guilty of two counts of discreditable conduct, according to a discipline hearing report on the Ottawa Police Service's website. According to the agreed statement of facts, the first count of discreditable conduct revolves around text messages Benoit sent to a colleague, identified in the report only as 'AA' to protect her privacy. On March 27, 2023, Benoit texted AA and asked if she was at work. She said she was at the gym, to which Benoit replied 'Ok. We'll come c you. You sweating yet. I'm not going in till ur sweating.' AA replied 'Drenched.' On May 3, 2023, Benoit texted AA to ask if she could take a call. AA responded that she required five minutes to kit up for her shift. Constable Benoit responded, 'Np. Was thinking I'd catch you all sweaty again,' with a smiley face emoji. Later that same day, Benoit texted AA about a Facebook Marketplace listing of leather motorcycle chaps. Benoit wrote, 'Bumm must be supper nice in this.' AA responded 'lol' and 'that the chaps still fit', prompting Constable Benoit to state that he would need 'proof of that.' AA replied 'bahaha…I am decluttering.' Constable Benoit replied with two emojis. The report stated that AA described the messages in her compelled interview as unwelcome and inappropriate and were 'interpreted as an invitation to send a senior constable a picture of her buttocks.' Benoit said the comments were meant 'in a joking matter' but acknowledged they were 'clearly inappropriate.' On Sept. 12, 2023, Benoit texted 'heard you had a new gf. You still not coming back to this side. Just jump on our side for a little.' The report says AA is a member of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community and that AA's sexuality is known to Benoit. AA said she perceived the comment related to 'sides' in relation to her sexual orientation. The second count of discreditable conduct revolves around an incident that took place on Sept. 23, 2023, after the Canadian Police Memorial Ride to Remember event. According to the agreed statement of facts, AA was outside her vehicle following the event when Benoit parked his vehicle nearby and began talking to her. After the conversation, AA was speaking to her partner and daughter in their car, at which point Benoit approached her from behind and slapped her left buttock, creating 'an audibly loud noise,' the report states. AA described the slap as 'hard', according to the report. Four days later, Benoit texted, 'Oh and sorry for slapping ur ass the other day. I didn't know that was your gf, and on a flip side. That was a nice hard bum. Congrats,' followed by the thumbs up and OK emojis. 'Constable Benoit acknowledged in his compelled interview that he was aware of OPS's policies on Violence and Harassment in the Workplace and Respectful Workplace. Constable Benoit acknowledged that his conversations with AA, which were intended to be a joke, were inappropriate,' the report says. 'Constable Benoit acknowledged in the same interview that his physical conduct towards AA, namely the slapping of her left buttocks, was inappropriate and beyond what is reasonable between friends.' The prosecution in the disciplinary hearing sought Benoit's dismissal, while the defence sought a one-year demotion. Retired superintendent Lisa Taylor ordered Benoit demoted to second class constable for 18 months, after which time he will return to the rank of first class constable. 'I find Constable Benoit has the ability to move past this misconduct matter and to re-establish a positive reputation within the workplace and the community. Overall, I find this a strong mitigating consideration,' Taylor wrote. 'I find specific and general deterrence are clearly required and can be served though a strong but fair sanction.' Taylor's decision says she has considered the potential for damage to the Ottawa Police Service's reputation should Benoit remain an officer, but said these incidents, while concerning, do not appear to be reflective of how Benoit has conducted himself over the course of his career, noting several letters of support from colleagues and friends, including numerous women. 'I find the public would be unsettled to learn that Constable Benoit slapped a fellow officer on the buttocks but there would be confidence instilled in the public knowing that the Service has taken the matter seriously and the member has been held accountable for his misconduct,' Taylor wrote. 'The public would recognize that police officers are human too and make errors in judgement. The public and OPS members can be satisfied that the victim(s) in this matter were treated with compassion and respect, and their concerns were immediately addressed while the respondent officer was treated fairly.' Taylor stressed Benoit's actions were unacceptable. 'Constable Benoit's misconduct could not be described as a mistake but a serious lapse in judgement and he ought to have known better. Constable Benoit's strong employment history and letters of support would demonstrate this is out of character for him. Regardless, AA has the right to be treated with respect and to feel safe in the workplace and the offensive comments and physical contact directed at her are completely unacceptable,' Taylor wrote. 'Demotion is a substantial penalty that comes with accompanying negative financial impacts on the officer. The fiscal impact is significant and equates to approximately $20,000 per year, according to defence counsel. However, unlike dismissal, demotion comes with an end date. Constable Benoit must remain cognizant that should he face similar misconduct in the future involving such issues as outlined in the (agreed statement of facts), dismissal as a sanction is not out of the question. In fact, dismissal is a distinct possibility should such misconduct occur in the future.'
CBC
05-08-2025
- CBC
OPS constable temporarily demoted following hearing into sexual harassment
Social Sharing An Ottawa Police Service constable has been demoted for 18 months following a disciplinary hearing into unwelcome comments and physical touching of a fellow officer. In May, Charles Benoit pleaded guilty to two counts of discreditable conduct, including "slapping the buttocks" of an officer identified only as AA in the decision released last week. 'Unwelcome' messages sent The first count of discreditable conduct dates back to 2023 and revolve around a number of texts between Benoit and AA. In those messages, Benoit texted his fellow officer about signing a work-related document and enquired whether she was at the gym. "Ok. We'll come c you. You sweating yet. I'm not going in till ur sweating," Benoit wrote on March 27, 2023. AA replied, "Drenched," saying later she responded that way out of awkwardness. In May of that year, he sent a similar message: "Np. Was thinking I'd catch you all sweaty again," he wrote, following it up with a happy face emoji. On that same day, AA received a text message from Benoit, containing a screenshot of leather motorcycle chaps she was selling on Facebook Marketplace. Constable Benoit texted, "Bumm [sic] must be supper [sic] nice in this." When she responded "lol" and "that the chaps still fit," Benoit replied that he'd need "proof of that." During an interview for the investigation into her complaints, AA said these messages were unwelcome, inappropriate and were interpreted as an invitation to send a senior constable a picture of her buttocks. 'Clearly sexualized and disrespectful' Starting with the Ottawa police in 2001, Benoit is also a bicycle instructor tasked with training officers to acquire their certification. The decision by adjudicator, Supt. (retired) Lisa Taylor, notes that role placed him in a position of trust and authority over AA. Benoit acknowledged in his interview with the OPS's Professional Standards Unit that these comments, while meant in a joking manner, were clearly inappropriate. In September of 2023, Benoit texted "Heard you had a new gf. You still not coming back to this side. Just jump on our side for a little." In her decision, Taylor wrote that she found the comments about leather chaps and about her orientation were "clearly sexualized and disrespectful towards AA, her relationship with [her partner], and her sexual identity." 2nd count of misconduct The second count of misconduct dates to an act of physical touching following a memorial bike ride event in September 2023. AA had been conversing with her partner and daughter when Benoit approached his colleague from behind and slapped her on her buttocks. AA was stunned and embarrassed, with her shock shared by her civilian partner. Following that incident, Benoit texted AA again, concluding their conversation with a reference to his actions. "Oh and sorry for slapping ur ass the other day. I didn't know that was your gf, and on a flip side. That was a nice hard bum. Congrats," he wrote. The decision notes he followed up the message with the 'thumbs up' and 'ok' emojis. While the prosecution sought Benoit's dismissal, the defence proposed a one-year demotion from first-class to second-class constable was a fitting penalty instead. The adjudicator found the matter clearly involved "sexual harassment and electronic harassment." But she found other evidence supported that these actions were out of character and noted that Benoit had read a statement before the tribunal outlining his remorse for his misconduct. During the hearing back in May, Benoit's defence, Pamela Machado, had submitted that Benoit's actions were isolated and that second chances can reinforce "the values of justice and procedural fairness." "I find the public interest in this matter can be satisfied by imposing a demotion and not a dismissal," Taylor wrote in her conclusion. In an email to CBC News, Benoit's lawyer said they respect the findings and acknowledge the seriousness of his conduct.
Toronto Sun
04-08-2025
- Toronto Sun
Ottawa police constable temporarily demoted for 'slapping the buttocks' of another officer
OPS Const. Charles Benoit pled guilty to two counts of discreditable conduct, which involved sexual harassing an officer identified as AA. Const. Charles Benoit has been demoted for 18 months. Photo by JULIE OLIVER / Postmedia An Ottawa Police Service constable has been demoted for sexually harassing a female officer. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Adjudicator Lisa Taylor, a retired OPP superintendent, has ordered that OPS Const. Charles Benoit be demoted to second class constable for 18 months. After that period, he will return to his original rank of first class constable. 'Unfortunately, while much of this type of misconduct has been eradicated, it still exists and police services like other organizations must be vigilant to address it, out in the open,' Taylor said in a decision released on July 28. At disciplinary hearings in May, Benoit pled guilty to two counts of 'discreditable conduct,' which involved making 'unwelcome' comments and 'slapping the buttocks' of the fellow officer, who was identified in the proceedings as 'AA.' As a bicycle instructor tasked with training officers in the OPS, Benoit was directly involved with certifying AA, 'putting him in a position of trust and authority over her,' according to an agreed statement of facts. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The disciplinary proceedings concerned incidents that occurred in 2023. In May of that year, Benoit sent AA text messages that Taylor found were 'sexualized and disrespectful' and that AA had characterized as 'unwelcome and inappropriate.' In one exchange, Benoit sent AA a photo of a pair of leather motorcycle chaps she was looking to sell on Facebook Marketplace, saying 'Bumm (sic) must be supper (sic) in this,' according to Taylor's decision. In another text message from September 2023, Benoit said 'Heard you had a new gf (girlfriend). You still not coming back to this side. Just jump on our side for a little.' Later that month, after a memorial bike ride event to commemorate fallen police officers in which AA participated, the two were parked near each other on Argyle Street when AA stepped out of her car to talk to Benoit. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. She then started talking to her partner and daughter, who were sitting in her car, when Benoit approached her from behind and slapped her on the left buttock, 'creating an audibly loud noise,' according to the decision. AA described the slap as 'hard.' In a later text exchange, Benoit apologized and said 'I didn't know that was ur gf. And on the flipside. That was a nice hard bum. Congrats.' Taylor found that the action of slapping AA's buttocks 'constituted serious misconduct.' 'Constable Benoit's misconduct could not be described as a mistake, but a serious lapse in judgement and he ought to have known better,' Taylor wrote. During the hearings, prosecutors called for Benoit to be dismissed, while Benoit's lawyer asked for a 12-month demotion. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Taylor ultimately found that 'the public interest in this matter can be satisfied by imposing a demotion and not a dismissal.' Benoit, who has been an officer with the OPS since 2001, acknowledged he was aware of the police service's policies on violence and harassment in the workplace. He acknowledged that his 'physical conduct' towards AA was 'inappropriate and beyond what is reasonable between friends.' Pamela Machado, Benoit's defence lawyer, said in an emailed statement that she respected the findings of the disciplinary process and acknowledged the seriousness of the 'conduct involved.' She said sexual harassment had no place in the workplace, especially 'one built on trust and service to the public.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'My clients accept the decision of the disciplinary tribunal and we believe the penalty appropriately reflects the findings and allows everyone involved to move forward,' she wrote. 'This was a balanced decision by a reasoned adjudicator.' In her victim statement, AA expressed how degraded and disrespected she felt when Benoit slapped her buttocks in the presence of her daughter and her partner. AA said she felt fear, that her safety at work had been compromised and that Benoit's misconduct affected her ability to trust co-workers. 'I think (Constable Benoit) is a dangerous person and is a danger to women around (him),' AA said. Taylor, however, found that the evidence before her didn't support AA's 'conclusion that Constable Benoit is dangerous or a threat to women.' She found that Benoit's employment history and letters of support he had submitted didn't support such a conclusion and that Benoit 'understands the impacts of his actions now.' Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Read More Opinion Columnists Toronto & GTA Toronto Raptors Wrestling
