A Barrie police officer now faces criminal charges following a high-profile arrest on Dunlop Street East in February.
Ontario Provincial Police, which was called in to handle the investigation, announced Thursday morning that Barrie police Const. Jason Stamp, 46, has been charged with assault and assault with a weapon.
On Feb. 5, 2021, Barrie Police Chief Kimberley Greenwood requested that the OPP conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances and actions related to the arrest of a 20-year-old man on Feb. 4.
Members of the OPP Professional Standards Unit have now completed their investigation.
The accused has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Barrie on June 7.
Const. Stamp, an 18-year member of the Barrie police department, has been suspended from duty with pay.
On Feb. 4, the Barrie Police Service was made aware of a video that was posted to social media that showed an arrest made by a uniformed officer that took place on Dunlop Street East earlier that day.
A Barrie police news release from this morning states: "Concerned by the images captured in the video and the need for transparency in our community, Barrie Police Chief Kimberley Greenwood promptly requested the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances that lead to the arrest, as well as the conduct of the involved officer."
The investigation, which was undertaken by the OPP Professional Standards Unit, has now concluded.
“I thank the Ontario Provincial Police for conducting an independent investigation into the incident that occurred on Dunlop Street in early February,” Greg Ferguson, chair of the Barrie Police Services Board, says in the Barrie police release. “Accountability is a fundamental component of policing and the commitment of the OPP to carry out a fair and impartial investigation is appreciated.”
Added Greenwood: “The need for transparency in policing is critical. The Barrie Police Service holds all its members to the highest level of professionalism. I thank the OPP for conducting a thorough and detailed investigation."
As the case is now before the courts, Barrie police say they will have no further comment.
