Police Services Act hearing for officer accused of sexual assault

SSP officer charged with discreditable conduct A South Simcoe police constable is facing 9 counts of discreditable conduct.

A veteran South Simcoe Police officer charged with nine counts of discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act appeared briefly in a teleconference hearing Tuesday morning.

The appearance came one month after the charges were announced by his police service following an allegation of sexual assault involving two complainants.

The police service said it received a complaint last October from the Office of the Independent Police Review Director alleging that Const. Paul Catling sexually assaulted a woman.

Catling has served in several roles for the service, including traffic enforcement and the marine unit. He has also been considered a drug recognition expert by the service and provided media relations for South Simcoe Police.

The service said it notified Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of the allegation and Catling was assigned to administrative duties.

While the SIU’s probe determined it couldn’t proceed with criminal charges, a Police Services Act investigation was warranted, resulting in the accused being charged with nine counts of discreditable conduct involving the two complainants.

The SIU confirmed it doesn’t publish the Director’s Report due to concerns the released information “may further deter what is already an under-reported crime. In addition, publication could serve to undermine the heightened privacy interests of the involved parties, especially, the complainant.”

The South Simcoe Police Service says Catling has been off on leave.

In a statement issued in October, South Simcoe Police Chief John Van Dyke said, “Transparency and accountability are fundamental to maintaining public trust. We acknowledge that an officer from the South Simcoe Police Service has been charged with discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act.

I want to emphasize our commitment to holding both our officers and civilians to the highest standards of professional conduct.”

The constable makes his next appearance in two weeks as he retains counsel to receive disclosure from the prosecution.

The teleconference hearing was presided over by retired OPP superintendent Morris Elbers.

With files from CTV's Kim Phillips