An Ottawa police officer has been ordered to give up approximately 18 days of pay after admitting that he made sexually harassing remarks to a female colleague during use-of-force training.
Const. Andre Hart made the comments after performing a training manoeuvre too forcefully and incorrectly, causing the female officer significant discomfort. The disciplinary outcome was detailed in a settlement agreement reached Thursday and published online by the Ottawa Police Service.
Second Misconduct Case in 16 Months
This is the second time Hart has faced discipline for inappropriate verbal conduct within approximately 16 months.
In March 2025, Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs disciplined Hart for making an offensive remark about another officer that related to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Hart forfeited one day of pay following that incident. He also received counselling from a superintendent regarding the police service’s workplace harassment, violence and discrimination policy.
Hart has worked as a police officer for about 21 years. He began his career in Toronto before joining the Ottawa Police Service in 2019. More recently, he had been assigned to the service’s mental health unit.
Officer Used Unsafe Technique During Training
The latest incident occurred in February while Hart was completing use-of-force requalification training with a female constable and another male officer.
According to the settlement agreement, Hart incorrectly placed his arms below the female officer’s knees during a training exercise. He then forced her to the ground, causing significant discomfort.
The woman told Hart that the move had hurt her. Both she and the other participating officer informed him that he had performed the technique incorrectly and unsafely.
When Hart was advised to correct his technique and avoid using excessive force, he responded by saying that he “likes it rough.”
Further Comments Made Female Officer Uncomfortable
Later in the training session, the female constable said the group would be practising techniques involving the restraint of people by tying their hands and feet.
Hart allegedly described the activity as a “turn-on.” When the woman rejected the sexual implication of his remark, Hart continued by calling it “foreplay” and claiming that he did it “every morning.”
The female officer became uncomfortable and informed a supervisor that she did not want to continue being partnered with Hart. She was particularly concerned because the afternoon training session was expected to include drills described as “mounting techniques.”
Hart Admitted Making the Comments
Hart was charged with workplace sexual harassment under Ontario’s Community Safety and Policing Act.
The case was transferred to the Ontario Police Arbitration and Adjudication Commission, where a settlement was reached without a prolonged disciplinary hearing.
Under the agreement, Hart admitted making the sexually harassing remarks. He also cooperated with investigators from the Ottawa police Professional Standards Unit, expressed remorse and accepted responsibility for his conduct.
As a result, Hart was ordered to forfeit approximately 18 days of pay.
The disciplinary agreement marks Hart’s second punishment for verbal misconduct in just over a year. The case also highlights the responsibility of police officers to maintain professional and respectful behaviour, including during internal training exercises.