On February 13, 2024, officers from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrested and charged 50-year-old, Melisa Rancourt with Assault, Uttering Threats and Cause a Disturbance in relation to an incident that occurred on February 11, 2024 in Espanola while off-duty.

Melisa Rancourt has been a Constable with the Greater Sudbury Police Service since 2018. 

As a result, Chief Pedersen has launched an internal investigation into the alleged misconduct of Constable Rancourt. Constable Rancourt has subsequently been suspended with pay under Section 89(1) of the Police Services Act of Ontario. Under the current legislation, there is no authority to suspend an officer without pay.

“Suspension

89 (1) If a police officer, other than a chief of police or deputy chief of police, is suspected of or charged with an offence under a law of Canada or of a province or territory or is suspected of misconduct as defined in section 80, the chief of police may suspend him or her from duty with pay.  2007, c. 5, s. 10.”

“While these allegations have yet to be proven in a court of law, the actions of one individual do not represent our members or reflect the values of our organization. It is always disturbing to hear of an officer who breaks the law and brings disrepute to the policing profession. This is in no way a reflection of our members who serve this community with pride and professionalism. We are confident that the matter will be investigated thoroughly and have confidence in our judicial system and the systems of accountability through the Police Services Act,” said Chief Paul Pedersen.  

Members of the GSPS Professional Standards Bureau will be conducting the internal investigation into the alleged misconduct while the OPP continues its criminal investigation into the incident.

Any inquiries related to the criminal investigation are to be directed to the Ontario Provincial Police. As this matter is before the courts, we are unable to provide further details.  

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