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“This review revealed the existence of inappropriate materials on the account, prompting the initiation of Chief’s Complaint investigation,” the statement of facts continues.

The investigation found that Forsythe sent some of these images to his own personal email accounts, but no evidence in the agreed statement of facts suggests he sent any of those images inappropriately to civilians. Officers are routinely told by the service to use their work-issued phones — which are subject to access to information laws — as their personal phones but are reminded of the OPS policies governing what’s appropriate.

The prosecution and defence jointly asked for a penalty of six days’ pay, agreeing that Forsythe was apologetic and remorseful for his actions and acknowledged the material was inappropriate.

A second officer, Const. Welden Holder of west division patrol, also pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of breaching the police database after he twice looked up a family member who had been charged with assault causing bodily harm and then later with weapons and drug offences. Each of the queries happened after the relative was arrested. Holder, an Ottawa officer since 2004, could provide no reason why he was accessing the information that was in line with his duties as an Ottawa police officer, according to an agreed statement of facts. Holder, too, was apologetic and acknowledged his wrongdoing.

The prosecution and defence jointly asked for a penalty of five days’ pay.

A hearing officer has yet to rule on either officer’s penalty. Neither officer has a disciplinary record.

syogaretnam@ottawacitizen.com

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