LAURIE WEIR
Two Smiths Falls police officers have been returned to active duty while an external investigation continues into their involvement in a forceful arrest that was widely circulated on social media.
In a statement released June 30, Smiths Falls Police Chief Jody Empey said that “as a result of an internal review, the decision has been made to return officers to active duty, while the external investigation continues with Cornwall Police Service.”
Empey said she would not be commenting further until the investigation is concluded.
The incident under review stems from the arrest of a 29-year-old female on June 7. Video footage shared online shows the female, who was already in handcuffs and barefoot, being pulled from the back seat of a police cruiser on Main Street East around 11 p.m. In the video, she is heard shouting profanities and accusing officers of striking her in the face with a flashlight. She is then restrained on the pavement by one officer while another stands nearby.
Earlier that evening, Smiths Falls police had responded to a call at a Lombard Street residence involving the same female. She was allegedly involved in uttering threats and assaulting another person. A second incident later that night at a local business reportedly involved a table being thrown and damaged.
The female was arrested for causing a disturbance and mischief. Following her arrest, police allege she spit and kicked through an opening in the cruiser’s plexiglass partition. She was assessed by EMS but refused treatment, police said.
She is facing multiple charges, including:
- Two counts of assaulting a peace officer;
- Two counts of mischief under $5,000;
- Causing a disturbance;
- Uttering threats; and,
- Two counts of failing to comply with a probation order.
These charges have not been proven in court.
Empey acknowledged public concern about the video and confirmed the service had initiated a formal conflict of interest assessment under Ontario Regulation 401/23. The matter was deemed an “institutional conflict” and referred to Cornwall Police Service for independent investigation.
Deputy Chief Chris Kettyle was appointed as the liaison officer during the investigation.
Anyone with further information or related concerns is asked to contact Smiths Falls Police at 613-283-0357, or reach out anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Formal complaints can also be submitted through the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency at leca.ca.
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