Charged Ottawa police constable suspended without pay
Posted Apr 17, 2025 10:30:48 AM.
Last Updated Apr 17, 2025 10:39:02 AM.
The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) suspended an officer charged with underage sexual assault without pay.
“After reviewing the conditions of judicial release, Charlene (JenJen) Abella has been suspended without pay in accordance with the provisions of the Community Safety and Policing Act,” the force said in a statement.
This comes days after Peel Regional Police charged Abella with multiple offences in connection to an incident that happened while she was not on duty. When the news broke, Abella was suspended with full pay and benefits from OPS, which is now revoked.
The constable faces charges of:
- Sexual assault – three counts
- Sexual interference – two counts
- Sexual exploitation
OPS said it learned of allegations to “persons under the age of 18” on March 27. It advised Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which transferred the case to Peel police as the incident didn’t meet the SIU’s mandate.
A release says this was done to ensure there are no connection to those involved.
Peel police tell CityNews in a statement the “alleged offences are not linked to the Region of Peel.”
Due to a publication ban, further specifics in the investigation can not be released.
With files from CityNews’ Andrew Osmond.
