Ottawa cop who threatened to kill woman faces discreditable conduct charges

An Ottawa police officer found guilty of threatening to kill a woman during a 2020 domestic dispute, while in possession of a kitchen knife, is now facing two counts of discreditable conduct laid by his force.

Const. Yourik Brisebois was served notice of the Police Services Act charges in late Julyand made hisfirst disciplinary hearing appearance on Sept. 19.

His next appearance is scheduled for October.

Brisebois remains on active duty, police said in an email on Friday.

The force said it won't comment further, citing the ongoing disciplinary matter.

Received conditional discharge from judge

On March 23, Briseboiswas found guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice of knowingly uttering a threat to cause death to a woman and possessing a kitchen knife for the purpose of committing an offence. He had pleaded not guilty.

On May 4, Justice JanetO'Brien gave Brisebois a conditional discharge, meaning he'll have no criminal record if he abides by the terms of a three-year probation order.

He must not contactthe victim, norpossessany weapons exceptthoserequired forpolicingand only during work hours, and must attendand actively participatein any programshe was ordered to complete, among other conditions.Brisebois was also ordered to paytwo victim surcharge fines totalling $200.

Ottawa police now allege Briseboisacted disorderly, or likely to bring discredit to the force's reputation, because he was found guilty of two criminal charges.

Brought back to work before guilty verdict

The domestic crimes happened in late July of 2020, and Brisebois was arrested 12 days later.

He was suspended with pay for 18months, from August 2020 to February 2022, according to Ottawa police. Suspensions without pay are not permittedby the Police Services Act until after an officer has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment.

The act also gives police chiefs and police oversight boards the power to revoke suspensions as deemed appropriate, before any charges are dealt with in court.

Briseboiswas brought back to work more than a year before he was found guiltyand sentenced.

He was given administrative duties upon his return, the police forcesaid earlier this year,and was later assigned to active duty, according toMatthew Cox, president of the Ottawa Police Association (theunion representing Ottawa police officers and civilians).

CBC has reached out to Brisebois, but did not immediately receive a response.

In 2020, Briseboisearned about $117,000, which lowered to about $114,000 in 2021, and in 2022 he earned about $127,000, according to Ontario's sunshine list, which names public sector employees paid more than $100,000 in any given year.