A police officer who voiced her support for the Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa is being charged with six offences by her peers.
Yesterday, the DRPS announced that six charges under the Police Services Act had been laid against officer Howard. She’s being charged with two counts each of discreditable conduct, insubordination, and breach of confidence.
On January 24, Constable Erin Howard made a video post to her since-deleted Twitter account, expressing her support of the convoy and calling the truckers heroes.
“I really wanted to give a shout-out to all the truckers. I think what you guys are doing is incredible. You’re fighting for rights and freedoms. And right now, it feels like we’re a little bit at war, and those rights and freedoms are at stake. So, you guys are honestly true heroes. What you’re doing is just incredible,” she said in January.
“I will be in Ottawa when you guys roll in. I’m going to be speaking on behalf of Police on Guard.”
Howard said she was speaking on behalf of Police on Guard, a group of active and retired police officers who, according to their website, formed to fight what they deemed unconstitutional public health orders on Canadians.
Shortly after that, the Durham Regional Police (DRPS) announced that they were “looking into the matter” and that her views were not representative of their organization.
“We were made aware today of a video circulating on social media from one of our uniformed members regarding the Freedom Rally,” the service said in a Tweet at the time.
“The views expressed in that video do not reflect the views and opinions of DRPS. We are currently looking into this matter.”
Howard’s court appearance is set for May 5.
