Ottawa police officer demoted 16 months for assaulting boy at CHEO in 2022

Ottawa Police headquarters on Elgin St. is seen in this undated photo. (CTV News Ottawa)

An Ottawa police constable has been demoted for 16 months for assaulting a handcuffed teenager in a hallway at CHEO nearly three years ago.

Const. Omair Khan pleaded guilty to three counts of discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act and has been demoted from 1st class constable to 2nd class constable for 16 months.

According to the agreed statement of facts, the mother of a 13-year-old boy called police on Nov. 6, 2022, to report the child was “out of control in their family home.”

Two officers arrived at the home approximately 10 minutes after the call. Approximately 40 minutes after the call, Const. Khan and his partner apprehended the boy under the Mental Health Act, “as they had formed grounds to believe that he was suffering from a mental disorder that would likely result in serious bodily harm to himself or another.”

The boy was handcuffed and transported to CHEO for an assessment. The statement of facts said after he was apprehended, the boy “became extremely belligerent towards the two responding officers. He began swearing profusely, calling them every insulting name in the book.”

When they arrived at CHEO, the boy was directed to sit on a chair in the hallway. Const. Khan remained with the teenager while his partner went to a separate room.

According to the agreed statement of facts, at one point, Khan “quickly moves” towards the boy, then grabs him by the jaw area with both hands and then takes him to the ground.

“Const. Khan then places his right knee on (the boy’s) back and then removes his knee and places his foot on the youth’s lower back area. Const. Khan then picks (the boy) up from the floor with his right arm and escorts him down the hallway with his partner,” according to the statement.

The statement of facts said there is “no evidence” the boy suffered any physical injuries.

On Dec. 4, 2022, CHEO security staff notified police of the physical interaction involving a youth and a police officer. The report notes Khan “failed to submit” a general occurrence report or an Investigative Action detailing his use of force on the child.

Const. Khan pleaded guilty to assault in criminal court and was sentenced to a conditional discharge and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service.

“Through the evidence presented, I am left with no doubt that the actions of Constable Khan have strained the reputation of the Ottawa Police Service,” Supt. Chris Rheaume, the hearing officer, said in the decision.

“Constable Khan breached this trust to the public by being found guilty in Criminal Court by being charged with and found guilty of assault against (the boy), thereby damaging the reputation of the Ottawa Police Service as well as other police services more broadly.”

Rheaume noted Khan fully cooperated with the Ottawa Police Service’s Professional Standards Unit during the investigation, he pleaded guilty to assault during his first available court proceeding and he admitted that he “over-reacted, he was wrong with his actions, and he apologized to (the boy) and the community.”

Const Khan was hired by the Ottawa Police Service in October 2016. He was previously an officer with the Regina Police Service.