The RCMP on Thursday charged two Ottawa police constables — Haidar El Badry and Mohamed Mohamed — with obstructing justice.
El Badry was also charged with breach of trust and causing a person to deal with a forged document.
Two other individuals were also targeted by the RCMP investigation. Ashley El Badry of Ottawa was charged with forgery and causing a person to deal with a forged document, while Mohamed Salameh of Gatineau was charged with dealing with a forged document.
All are to appear at the Ottawa courthouse in early September.
“I know that the charges laid today will shake public trust and harm the morale of our members,” Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly said in a statement issued Thursday evening. “These charges are very serious, but do not reflect the overall integrity of OPS members, nor do they represent the Ottawa Police Service values.”
The charge arose from an investigation, still ongoing, by the RCMP’s Anti-Corruption Unit. The Ottawa Police Service requested the assistance of the RCMP after it became aware of a possible breach of trust. “The OPS received information regarding the potential corruption activities involving a member of the Service,” Sloly said, adding that, after an initial assessment, he asked the RCMP to conduct a “full criminal/anti-corruption investigation.”
The two constables have been suspended.
“Any OPS member who engages in criminal behaviour will be fully investigated and prosecuted,” Sloly’s statement said.