Ottawa cop under investigation in hit-and-run

Source: Ottawa Sun

By KENNETH JACKSON, Ottawa Sun

An Ottawa police officer is under investigation in an alleged hit and run in the early morning hours after St. Patrick's Day.

The sergeant was off duty and had been out with friends before the crash occurred around 1 a.m. on March 18.

Police launched an investigation hours after the crash, involving a vehicle belonging to the Ottawa officer.

The car hit a light post, then a parked car before the driver left the area.

Police said they are trying to determine who was driving the car.

"At the end of the day if it's going to be a bad day for whomever was driving that vehicle it's going to be a bad day," Supt. Mike Flanagan said.

Police have made no arrests or laid any charges.

Flanagan said police are not treating the case any differently than any other.

It's typical for police not to release names of people under investigation.

The case is being handled internally by detectives from the collision unit. The professional standards unit (internal affairs) has not be called in to assist.

There were media reports the officer reported his car stolen, but that claim is being investigated.

Police still have witnesses to interview and are focusing on what happened before and after the alleged hit and run.

kenneth.jackson@sunmedia.ca