Manitoulin OPP has charged two people including a police officer with trespassing at the Espanola Regional Recreation Centre.
OPP Constable Tessa Karsch says on Sunday afternoon police responded to the complex and found people trespassing on the property.
She says police had been there earlier in the day and had asked the individuals to leave, but they returned shortly thereafter.
Karsch says Melisa Rancourt, a 47-year-old Espanola woman, was arrested and charged with resisting a peace officer and trespassing.
Rancourt is a former Espanola Police officer and is now employed as a constable with the Greater Sudbury Police.
In a statement, Paul Pedersen, Greater Sudbury Police Chief says while the actions haven’t been proven, the allegations, if true, are “dishonourable and discouraging.”
“The Greater Sudbury Police Service is committed to policing with excellence and professionalism and the actions of this Officer do not reflect our core values,” Pedersen says. “Our members have sworn an oath to uphold the law according to any act, any regulation, rule or by-law.”
“Members who fail to uphold the law will be held accountable for their actions and will be subject to the same judicial process as those we serve,” adds Pedersen.
In addition to the chief’s statement, the service says in accordance with the Police Services Act of Ontario, Rancourt has been assigned to administrative duties.
The incident has also been forwarded to the Professional Standards Bureau for further investigation and an investigation has been initiated for breaches against the Police Services Act
Another 39-year-old from Espanola was also arrested and charged with trespassing.
The two are to appear in Espanola court November 15th.