OPP launch investigation into officer who appeared to support Ottawa convoy protest in video

An Ontario Provincial Police crest is displayed on the arm of an officer. (Andrew Lahodynskyj / The Canadian Press)

Toronto — Ontario Provincial Police have launched an internal investigation into the conduct of an officer after a video taken during a traffic stop surfaced on social media where he appears to voice his support to the ongoing convoy protest in Ottawa.

In the video, which was uploaded on TikTok in a post that included the hashtag #freedomconvoy2022, an officer is seen talking to the occupants of a vehicle he had pulled over. At one point in the video, the officer is heard saying, "I get what you guys are doing. I support you guys 100 per cent."

The video has been widely shared online and police have received backlash from those denouncing the occupation in the nation's capital, which entered its 17th day on Sunday with no signs of it ending.

Police have been criticized for how they are handling the "Freedom Convoy" protesters that are calling for the end of all pandemic mandates and restrictions.

In a series of tweets posted to the OPP account on Sunday, police said they are aware of the video taken Friday, which they noted "has raised concerns about professionalism and depicts opinions that are not in line with the OPP's values."

The officer in the video has not been identified, and the exact location of the traffic stop is not known.

The OPP's Professional Standards Unit is now investigating the matter.

In the tweet the OPP said it does not condone the ongoing "illegal activity" in Ottawa.

"Under the state of emergency, those who defy the law will be held accountable. Our role is to ensure public safety and keep the peace. Officers must maintain the highest standard of conduct, integrity and ethical behaviour," the tweet said.

On Friday, Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency in response to what he called a "siege" in Ottawa and the convoy protest in Windsor that blocked one of North America's essential border crossings.

Under the emergency orders, protesters cannot block international border crossings, the 400-series highways, airports, bridges, ports and railways in the province. Those who defy the orders could be fined and imprisoned.

Officials in Windsor declared the blockade near the Ambassador Bridge was over after removing all protesters from the area. The owner of the bridge announced late Sunday that it has fully reopened.