Ottawa police constable demoted for engaging in sexual activity while on duty

Ottawa Police sign outside headquarters on Elgin St. in Ottawa. (CTV News Ottawa)

An Ottawa police constable has been demoted for 12 months for picking up a woman in a marked police vehicle while on duty, driving her home and engaging in sexual activity.

Const. Richard Lemay’s sentence was released on Monday after he pleaded guilty to discreditable conduct, neglect of duty and insubordination under the Police Services Act.

The incident happened between Oct. 1, 2008, and Nov. 30, 2008.

The agreed statement of facts said Const. Lemay met the woman in August 2008 while responding to a disturbance involving another tenant in her apartment building. The two exchanged text messages on several occasions, and “a friendly relationship ensued.”

The judgment said between Oct. 1, 2008 and Nov. 30, 2008, Const. Lemay had been exchanging text messages with the woman one evening, picked her up in his cruiser and drove her home.

According to the judgment, Lemay apologized “for his actions” at a hearing in July, and apologized to the victim, his family and the Ottawa Police Service.

Lemay has been a member of the Ottawa Police Service since 2002.

Lemay will be demoted from First Class Constable to Second Class Constable for 12 months.