Ottawa police now calling officer's posts about Annie Pootoogook 'racist'

The top brass of the Ottawa Police Service is now openly using the word "racist" to describe thecomments posted online by one of their officers in relationto the death of Inuk artistAnnie Pootoogook.

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Superintendent Don Sweetcalled out the comments in an interview outside a conference on racialized youth and the justice system on Friday.

"I think, for us, obviously those comments are racist and it's accepted as the chief has said," Sweet said.

In an interview with APTN one day earlier, Ottawa police chiefCharles Bordeleau called Sgt Chris Hrnchiar's posts "racist"for the first time, after weeks of criticism for using softer language such as "inappropriate" or containing"racial undertones."

Pootoogook was found dead in the Rideau River onon Sept. 19. TheOttawa Police Service'smajor crime unit, which investigates homicides, continues to probe"suspicious elements" about the case but have not classified her death as a homicide.

A few days after her body wasidentified, Hrnchiar posted in the comments section of an Ottawa Citizen story that her death "could be a suicide, accidental, she got drunk and fell in the river and drowned, who knows."

In a second post, Hrnchiar,an officer in the forensic identification unit, wrote "much of the Aboriginal population in Canada is just satisfied being alcohol or drug abusers." The comments have since been deleted.

Hrnchiarremains on active duty

Hrnchiar remains on active duty as the force conducts an internal investigation into his comments.

Sweet, who adjudicates cases of officer misconduct under the Police Services Act and oversees criminal investigations, expects the internal investigation to conclude within the "next couple of weeks."

He said the professional standards unit is taking a deep dive into Hrnchiar's work history.

"We'd be looking at what is the fundamental cause of the comments and does this officer need some training,does he need other resources for him if there are further issues. It will be comprehensive."

This is an opportunity not just for the officer, but for others to learn from.Superintendent Don Sweet, Ottawa Police Service

Sweet added that if other allegations ofracism surface, theywill become part of internal investigation, as well.

Even though Hrnchiar remainson the job, Sweet said he will be disciplined once the investigation is complete.

Hrnchiar isfacingthe possibilityof a permanent mark on his record, docked pay, a demotion, a suspension or evengetting fired. He could also be offered counseling.

Sweet says it's likely Hrnchiar's discipline will involverestorative justice measures, in whichIndigenous and Inuit elders explain to him whyhis comments were offensive and hurtful.

"I know for a fact, without getting into the details, that's a component we're looking at. This is an opportunity not just for the officer, but others to learn from," Sweet said.

Force's morale down

Sweet saidhe can't guarantee that training will be extended to the wider force. Race relations training, like mental health training, isn'tmandatory and Sweet emphasized that staff shortages make itdifficult to free up officers to take courses.

Meanwhile, Hrnchiar'sposts, and the July death of Abdirahman Abdiafter what witnesses describe as a violent arrest, continueto affectmorale in the force,said Sweet.

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"Officers feel challenged. With a lot more of what we see in the States, and some of the recent incidents here, they want the public to know that they do their jobs well and that these are miniscule amount of issues compared to the thousands of interactions they have."

But Sweet knows that trust is tough to earn and easily lost. The superintendentwas interviewed at the St. Laurent Complex in Vanier where more than 100 people, nearly all from Ottawa's black Francophone community, gathered to discuss how to hold police accountable.

Participants told stories of police harassment and unfair treatment, asSweet and another senior officer listened. The officers alsowalked the audience through how to make a police complaint.