The lawyer for three Ottawa police officers facing criminal charges after an explosion during a training exercise more than a year ago says the officers have the "full support" of the police service and intend to vigorously defend themselves.

Sgt. Martin Rukavina is one of the three Ottawa police officers facing charges related to an explosion during a training exercise in 2014. (CBC News) The explosion on June 18, 2014, happened during a joint force-entry exercise into an abandoned home in Kanata. Ottawa police officers, paramedics and RCMP officers were involved.

Paramedics Craig MacInnes and Reid Purdy suffered serious injuries, but have since returned to their full-time duties. A third paramedic, Bradley Ross, suffered minor injuries, along with two Ottawa police officers.

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit has charged Sgt. Martin Rukavina — who was accused by fellow officers in an anonymous letter of ignoring safety concerns before the training exercise — as well as Const. Serge Clement and Const. Carl Grimard.

They are each charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm and breach of duty regarding the explosive substance.

Officers have 'full support,' lawyer says

Defence lawyer Bill Carroll says the three officers have the "full support" of the Ottawa Police Service. (Kristy Nease/CBC) All three officers are scheduled to appear in Ottawa court on Sept. 8.

The officers remain on active duty with pay, said Bill Carroll, who currently represents all three officers.

"The officers are very grateful that they have the full support of their police service and will be remaining in the positions they currently occupy," Carroll said Thursday.

"These officers, at every step of the way, followed their protocols, followed their training and employed materials that had been used for decades in this enterprise, and something went wrong. But to suggest that there's negligence, let alone criminal negligence, is beyond the pale."

Police union frustrated by charges

Sources familiar with the investigation told CBC News constables Clement and Grimard are bomb technicians with the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives​ unit. Their duties include creating the charges used in explosives.

Matt Skof, president of the Ottawa Police Association, called the criminal charges 'incredibly disappointing.' (CBC) Rukavina is no longer with the tactical unit. He is now a patrol officer after being transferred earlier this year.

The president of the Ottawa Police Association said he's frustrated with the criminal charges being laid by an oversight body that doesn't have oversight of its own.

"It's completely demoralizing. ... You've been provided a mandate from the province as well as the public to execute your duties professionally, you do so, and you turn around and [they're] criminalizing the profession," Matt Skof said.

"It's incredibly disappointing.... Frustration is the only word I can come up with."

Last month, the Ontario Ministry of Labour laid 10 charges against the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Police Services Board connected to the explosion.

An internal Ottawa police investigation by its Professional Standards Section is still active but will not be resolved until the SIU case is complete.