A suspended Sarnia police officer is facing additional charges, including assault and criminal harassment, following a dispute on August 30.
The two people involved in the dispute know each other but city police said further details would not be released to protect the victim's identity.
Police said 47-year-old Sean Van Vlymen was arrested on Sunday, September 1, and charged with assault, criminal harassment, animal cruelty, and mischief.
After his bail hearing, Van Vlymen was released from custody with conditions, pending his next court date.
Sarnia Police Chief Derek Davis said Van Vlymen has been suspended from duty since August 29, 2023.
“That suspension remains in effect and prohibits him from performing any duties of a police officer. He is currently before the courts on charges stemming from an SIU investigation," said Davis in a media release. "As per the (then) Police Services Act (PSA) this suspension remains in effect, and all disciplinary proceedings are paused, pending the outcome of the criminal court process. These timelines are not within the control of the Sarnia Police Service."
Davis also said he has ordered an immediate disciplinary investigation into these latest charges.
"Only at the conclusion of that investigation, will any additional determinations be made pertaining to potential [Community Safety and Policing Act] charges or suspension modifications (with or without pay)," read Davis' statement. "These circumstances are deeply troubling to all our members, civilian and sworn, who continue to professionally serve our community every hour of every day. The Sarnia Police Service remains committed to swiftly and transparently addressing these matters, within lawfully available legal frameworks.”
In July 2023, Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) charged Van Vlymen with one count of assault causing bodily harm following an incident in 2022 where one person suffered a serious injury during an arrest.