Officers charged for assault on trail

Source:Enterprise-Bulletin

Posted By SHAWN GIILCK

Two Collingwood OPP officers have been charged with assaulting a woman on the Black Ash Creek Trail.

The alleged incident occurred June 1, and OPP officials -- including Collingwood OPP detachment commander Inspector John Trude -- were tight-lipped about the details Wednesday.

"The complaint was investigated by Professional Standards, and as the matter is before the courts, I have no further comment other than the information released in the original press release," Trude stated in an email to the Enterprise-Bulletin.


According to a news release from central region media relations officer Const. Peter Leon, the OPP's Professional Standards Bureau charged two members of the Collingwood OPP detachment this morning following the investigation of an incident that occurred while both officers were off-duty.

Provincial Const. Jeremy Shiffman, 38, a five-year member of the OPP, and Provincial Const. Ashley Plumb, 26, a three-year member of the OPP have each been charged with assault.

According to police, on the morning of June 1, a 34-year-old Collingwood woman was out walking along the Black Ash Trail. At the same time, the two off-duty officers were running along the trail when a physical altercation occurred between them and the woman.

Leon said the Professional Standards Bureau commenced an investigation immediately.

Both Shiffman and Plumb are apparently avid long-distance runners, having appeared in many races around Ontario, according to an Internet search. Little else is known about them.

In a telephone interview, Leon declined to provide more details on the incident, saying the matter was "before the courts."

"I can't speak to specific details," he told theEnterprise-Bulletin.

"Once the complaint was received it was immediately investigated," he added. "The officers were placed on administrative duties once the OPP became aware of the incident and will remain working in this capacity until the conclusion of the court case."

Both Shiffman and Plumb are scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Collingwood on July 20