A Peterborough police officer is facing charges of breach of trust and possession of stolen property.
The Peterborough Police Service announced on Saturday (September 7) that investigators working out of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) criminal investigation branch at its general headquarters in Orillia had arrested the officer on Saturday.
A member of the Peterborough Police Service for seven years, the officer has been charged with two counts of breach of trust and possession of stolen property obtained by crime over $5,000.
The accused officer, who has been suspended with pay, has been released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear in court in Peterborough on October 8.
Peterborough police did not release the name of the officer “so as not to interfere with the criminal investigation” according to a media release, which notes the OPP’s investigation is ongoing and the case is before the court.
However, in a subsequent media release from the OPP, the accused officer was identified as Mackenzie Rogers, 27, of Peterborough.
In a statement, Peterborough police chief Stuart Betts said “this is difficult and disappointing news to have to share with the community.”
“I also recognize that this is an extremely difficult day for everyone in our organization, and for the community to learn that someone in a position of trust has been arrested and charged criminally,” he added.
“I want the public to know that these types of situations are taken seriously and that at this time the officer has been suspended with pay in accordance with the provisions of the Community Safety and Policing Act,” the chief said. “As this moves through the court process, that status may be re-evaluated.”
After noting Rogers “has not been convicted of the alleged crimes,” Chief Betts said “I am committed to ensuring the well-being of all of our members and will have programs in place to assist as needed.”
The Peterborough Police Service, which provided no details of the accusations against Rogers, said it would provide “no further comment at this time.”
Anyone with information in relation to the investigation is encouraged to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
This story has been updated with the name of the accused officer as released by the OPP and with contact information for the OPP.
