Police chief launches investigation into tactical unit letter

Ottawa's police chief has launched an internal investigation into a letter from the tactical unit, which alleged that constables in the unit lost confidence in their leaders after a training exercise explosion in June.

Police Chief Charles Bordeleau confirmed Monday that he has initiated a chief's complaint into the matter.

It comes the same day Ottawa police released a letter from members of the tactical unit saying they did not consent or endorse a leaked letter questioning the actions of two officers before and after a training exercise explosion in June.

• Charles Bordeleau has 'full confidence' in officers after leaked letter
• Tactical officers raised concerns before training explosion, letter alleges
• Ottawa training exercise explosion leaves 5 injured, 2 seriously

CBC News received the letter last week, which was also sent to the province's Special Investigations Unit, signed by "the constables of the Ottawa police tactical unit." The letter alleged the SIU had not heard the full story behind the June 18 explosion in Ottawa's west end that injured two officers and three paramedics during a training exercise.

The letter claimed two days before the explosion, two officers raised concerns about how close police and paramedics were getting to explosives with Acting Staff Sgt. Martin Rukavina and Ottawa Paramedic Service supervisor Craig MacInnes. It went on to say those concerns went unanswered.

But in a letter dated Nov. 6 and released Monday by Ottawa police, all members of the tactical unit signed a response saying they did not know the origin of the letter.

"We want to make it clear that we did not consent to, or endorse the writing of the letter to the Ontario Special Investigations Unit and the CBC that was referenced in the story," the letter stated. "The letter was never shared with us prior to being sent, and the content does not reflect our beliefs.

"We are a unit that has a strong belief in, and respect for our chain of command. We support our leadership and trust that they constantly work to represent our best interests."

5 injured in June 18 explosion

The explosion happened Wednesday, June 18, just after 10 a.m. ET, during a joint force-entry exercise into an abandoned home. The training exercise involved Ottawa police officers, paramedics and RCMP officers.

Two Ottawa police officers suffered minor injuries. Two paramedics — MacInnes and Reid Purdy — suffered serious injuries. A third paramedic, Bradley Ross, suffered minor injuries.

The SIU, Ministry of Labour and Ottawa police Professional Standards Section continue to investigate the explosion.

After the blast, the constables wrote a different "letter of 'non-confidence'" and sent it to Rukavina and Insp. Mark Ford in July.

Rukavina acknowledged he received that first July letter, but the authors of the most recent letter say those concerns went "unanswered and unaddressed."

Sources in the tactical unit told CBC News Thursday an "overwhelming majority" of its 26 constables signed the original letter of non-confidence in July.

Senior police officers told CBC News on Friday they're angry the second letter became public and it reflects badly on the police force.