Windsor police officer charged with assault after off-duty incident in Ottawa
The incident allegedly took place on Sept. 23.
A Windsor, Ont., police officer has been charged with assault after an off-duty incident in Ottawa, Windsor police said Tuesday.
According to a media statement, Sgt. Deler Bal was charged with two counts of assault and one count of assault causing bodily harm by the Ottawa Police Service on Sept. 23.
The charges against Bal follow "an alleged physical altercation at a restaurant," police said.
The officer will be reassigned pending the outcome of the investigation, they added.
Bal has been with the Windsor Police Service since 2016 and is a member of its honour guard.
Documents from the Windsor Police Services Board show Bal has been serving in the professional standards branch of the service as of April.
The professional standards branch manages and co-ordinates investigations into complaints involving officer conduct, policies or services.
Windsor police tweeted over the weekend that members were in Ottawa for the Canadian Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day.
Today, members of the Windsor Police Service and law enforcement officers from around the country are in Ottawa to observe Canadian Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day. <br><br>Together, we honour all those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HeroesInLife?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HeroesInLife</a> <a href="https://t.co/LR9KuWFBFc">pic.twitter.com/LR9KuWFBFc</a>
—@WindsorPoliceBal was featured in a CBC story earlier this spring speaking about the "deep privilege" of being a member of the service's honour guard, which is tasked with, among other duties, attending officer funerals.
Reached by CBC News, Sgt. Kent Rice, chair of the Windsor Police Association, said he was aware of the incident but did not have complete details, calling it an "unfortunate incident" that took place when members were in Ottawa to pay their respects.
He described Bal as a "fine officer" who's "well respected."