Andrew Jaconelli. (Photo from Andrew Jaconelli's Linkedin page)Andrew Jaconelli. (Photo from Andrew Jaconelli's Linkedin page)
Chatham

CK police officer contests sexual assault allegation by female colleague

A suspended Chatham-Kent police officer who pleaded guilty to seven counts of discreditable conduct is contesting an allegation of sexual assault by another officer.

Constable Andrew Jaconelli pleaded not guilty to two counts of discreditable conduct during Wednesday's virtual disciplinary hearing at Chatham-Kent police headquarters.

The remaining two counts of discreditable conduct stem from allegations of Jaconelli sexually assaulting a female colleague at her home on August 27, 2018.

A two-hour video recording of the complainant's statement about the alleged sexual assault was presented Thursday during the second day of Jaconelli's disciplinary hearing.

In the video, the complainant recounts how Jaconelli showed up at her home drunk the night of the alleged assault. The complainant said she tried to refuse his advances but an alleged sexual advance still took place.

The complainant also said in the video that she had been sexually assaulted when younger and described feeling a similar way, as to when she was younger.

During the video, the complainant revealed having struggled with an addiction to opioids and said because of that, she felt like an outcast at work. She said that made her hesitant to report the incident.

Earlier in the video recording, the complainant said that Jaconelli and herself both suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. She said they worked well together and that she enjoyed taking calls with Jaconelli.

Later in the hearing, Sergeant Kate McArthur, one of the complainant's supervisors, testified that Jaconelli played on the fact that the complainant was vulnerable.

Sergeant Kate McArthur and Constable Jodie Foster, the officer who was given the complainant's recording, both testified they believe the complainant was telling the truth about what happened.

McArthur said the complainant had nothing to gain and everything to lose.

Jaconelli's disciplinary hearing will continue Thursday.

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