The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is currently investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video surfaced on social media. In the video, Officer Stephenson can be seen expressing his support for the protestors, stating, “I’m on board with you guys, but just no profanity.”
The incident took place during an anti-Trudeau government protest outside an electric vehicle announcement by the Prime Minister at Honda manufacturing in Alliston, Ont. Officer Stephenson was heard saying, “There’s 6,000 of us employed on the OPP. I’m pretty sure that not 6,000 voted for Trudeau.”
OPP Sergeant Rob Simpson commented on the video, stating that it raised concerns about professionalism and depicted opinions that are not in line with the OPP’s values. The OPP is taking the matter seriously and reviewing the interaction.
While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not directly address the incident, he emphasized the public’s right to peaceful protest in a democracy. However, Chris Lewis, a CTV Public Safety Analyst and Former OPP Commissioner, expressed concerns about the politicization of the police force, stating that officers should remain neutral in political matters.
The OPP has stated that they will not be providing further information on the investigation or the officer’s status at this time. They remain committed to maintaining the public’s trust and confidence in the communities they serve. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.