OPP officer, wife face charges

Source:recorder.ca

Posted By NICK GARDINER, STAFF WRITER


An 11-year veteran OPP officer stationed at the Grenville County detachment in Prescott has been suspended from duty after a police raid Sunday at his Augusta Township residence.

Const. Jim Blanchette, 45, was suspended effective Monday as a result of an investigation launched after police received information alleging there was stolen property in his possession, said OPP spokesman Sgt. Kristine Rae.


Rae said the investigation was launched immediately by the OPP professional standards bureau.

During Sunday's raid, police seized several miscellaneous antique items, including furniture, eight unrestricted long guns and one restricted handgun, said Rae.

Blanchette and his wife Robin, 44, have been charged with nine counts of careless storage of a firearm, nine counts of possession of an unregistered weapon and one count of possession of property obtained by crime.

They were released from police custody on conditions and a promise to appear in Brockville court Sept. 24.

Rae said Blanchette is suspended with pay, according to the Police Services Act.