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Members of the Ottawa police services board accepted the temporary promotion of a senior officer without realizing he was under criminal investigation, the Citizen has learned.

The revelation, which comes from email exchanges in early August between board members and obtained by the Citizen, turns on what some board members said they were led to believe by Chief Charles Bordeleau.

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The emails contain conversations normally kept hidden from the public under the shield of in-camera police services board meetings, which are held behind closed doors. Minutes of such meetings are not made public.

The discussion between board members centred on their decision to allow Supt. Chris Rheaume to temporarily assume the role of deputy chief even though he is one of three senior police officials currently under Ontario Provincial Police investigation.

In one email, Coun. Allan Hubley said he was not aware Rheaume could face criminal charges when the board had talks about the promotion.