Charges withdrawn against Ottawa police superintendent
Sex assault charges against a veteran Ottawa police superintendent have been withdrawn by the Crown.
Ontario Provincial Police charged Supt. Mark Patterson in December 2022 with sexual assault, sexual assault committed in a position of trust, power or authority, and breach of trust. The charges stemmed from alleged incidents involving one complainant between December 2018 and May 2022, police said.
Last week, the Crown requested the charges be withdrawn.
'Superintendent Patterson has maintained his innocence since the day he was charged and is relieved that the criminal charges have been withdrawn,' Mark Ertel, Patterson's defence lawyer, said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.
'This was a very difficult time for his family. He hopes that there will no longer be a need for any Police Act charges and he can resume his duties at the Ottawa Police where he has spent so much of his life serving the citizens of Ottawa.'
The Ottawa Police Service said Patterson was suspended from duty in June 2022 after the service became aware of the allegations.
An Ottawa police spokesperson said Monday that Patterson remains suspended from duty.
'We are aware of the court's decision and are currently reviewing the matter,' police said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.
'The Police Services Act investigation into this matter is still outstanding and is being led by the Ontario Provincial Police. That process will now continue. Further updates will be provided when available.'
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Katie Griffin
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