A veteran Toronto police sergeant accused of sexually assaulting two women
while on duty is now facing internal discipline for failing to activate his
in-car camera on the night of the first alleged incident — an assault the
complainant says took place in the cruiser, the Star has learned.
Toronto
police disciplinary documents obtained this week show Sgt. Christopher Heard
is facing three counts of misconduct under the Police Services Act stemming
from the
alleged sexual assault of a 27-year-old woman in September 2015.
Christopher Heard is seen making his way out of the Mounted Unit stables to
head out on patrol in a file photo. (Richard
Lautens / TORONTO STAR)
The hearing documents shed new light on the case of the long-time officer
accused of sexually assaulting two women in their 20s during separate shifts
in the autumn of 2015, both in the area of Blue Jays Way.
Heard is accused
of failing to inform the police communications operator of his whereabouts
after picking up the first alleged victim, and of belatedly writing up an
account of that encounter in his police notes — and only after learning the
woman filed a complaint against him.
Last week, the Special Investigations Unit — the civilian watchdog that
probes deaths, serious injuries or sexual assault allegations involving
police — announced Heard was facing a
second sexual assault charge against a 25-year-old woman, occurring just
weeks after the first alleged assault.
The second sexual assault charge will now prompt another internal review and
could mean more misconduct allegations against Heard.
“I can tell you that
once the Service is provided with information on the second charge, it will
be reviewed for possible (Police Service Act) charges,” said Meaghan Gray,
spokesperson for the Toronto police.
The disciplinary charges against Heard have not been proven at the
tribunal. The officer is currently suspended from Toronto police with pay.
Approached by the Star as he was packing up a trailer outside his home on
a quiet residential street in Durham region Thursday night, Heard declined
to comment.
“I’m not talking to you,” he said. “I’m already disappointed enough with
the news.”