Ottawa cop Charlene Abella released on bail after arrest for sex crimes

Charlene Abella was granted bail while awaiting prosecution for sex crimes against girls, including two counts of sexual interference, which means the alleged victim was under 16.

Published Apr 16, 2025

Last updated Apr 16, 2025

2 minute read

Const. Charlene Abella in a photo posted to OPS social media in celebration of Asian Heritage Month in 2022. Abella, a constable with the OPS, has been charged by the Peel Regional Police Service with three counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual interference, and one count of sexual exploitation. Photo by OPS/INSTAGRAMArticle content

Three hours and 10 minutes after Ottawa police announced sex-crime charges against Const. Charlene Abella, she was released on bail.

Justice of the Peace Sylvie Lapointe sat late on Friday, and at 5:12 p.m. granted Abella bail while awaiting prosecution for sex crimes against girls, including two counts of sexual interference, which means the alleged victim was under 16.

Abella, suspended with full pay and benefits, is also charged with three counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual exploitation.

The officer was off-duty at the time of the alleged crimes.

The prosecutor, Lee Burgess, consented to the officer’s release under conditions.

Abella and her surety both posted a $5,000 bond, and the officer is required to live at her surety’s home in Hamilton.

The Ottawa constable also had to surrender her passport and can’t be within 500 metres of anyone involved in the case.

The police officer, while on bail, is banned from playgrounds, parks, schools and pools, and can’t be near females under the age of 18.

The officer is also banned from being anywhere near an Ottawa basketball organization.

The police department featured the officer in 2022 on social media and in a news release to celebrate Asian Heritage Month and women in policing.

“After graduating from Police Foundations at Mohawk College, I enrolled in Criminology at Carleton University with minor studies in psychology. I fell in love with Ottawa and the people. I’m from a tight-knit family, so my mom and dad found it hard when I decided to stay in Ottawa, but they are proud of me becoming a police officer.”

Near the end of the bail hearing, the Ottawa police officer slumped her head down in her folded arms.

The suspended officer is also banned from working or volunteering with minors.

Ottawa police enlisted Peel Regional Police to investigate so there was no conflict of interest.

The officer, suspended with pay, will live with a surety in Hamilton while awaiting her trip through the criminal justice system.

There’s a publication ban on the hearing except for its outcome and bail conditions. The publication ban expires once the case is resolved.

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