Two Toronto police officers were among four people charged earlier this week for allegedly attending a large gathering at the Church Of God Restoration in Aylmer.
A Toronto police spokesperson has confirmed to Blackburn News the police service is reviewing video that shows two people who identify themselves as police officers in a heated exchange with Aylmer police outside of the church.
The edited two minute, 14 second video was shared on social media by independent MPP Randy Hillier on Thursday. In it, an unmasked man and woman dressed in plain clothes are seen standing in the John Street church's parking lot arguing with two Aylmer police officers.
"You’re harassing. You're breaking the Charter. Did you swear an oath to the Charter like I did?” the man is heard saying to one of the Aylmer officers. At the same time, the woman tells the other officer her manner is "offensive" and "unprofessional" and questions what authority the officer has to be on private property.
The video then cuts to the Aylmer police officer telling the group "court is the venue to deal with it, court is the venue to deal with it."
"You know what, officer, you’re on a church parking lot. How do you sleep at night, well?” the woman replies. "I've been an officer for over two decades and I would never, never ever put on a uniform in a place of religion and talk to people the way you two do.”
The officer reaffirms the man and woman have identified themselves as police officers and accuses them of breaking the law.
"You're breaking the law. You don't know your authority," the woman says back. The pair also demand the officer's badge number as he walks back to his vehicle.
The video has been viewed more than 13,000 times on Twitter.
When asked whether disciplinary action will be taken against the two Toronto police officers, a police spokesperson only stated "[The Toronto police professional standards investigative unit] will review, and will advise."
The exchange took place on Tuesday night after Aylmer police went to the church following complaints about a gathering. When officers arrived, they counted 18 vehicles in the parking lot and, as they dealt with two people outside, they saw a group of 18 people coming out of the church. None of the individuals were wearing masks or social distancing, police said.
A 42-year-old man from North York and a 41-year-old woman from Scarborough, as well as two Aylmer men, were charged with failing to comply with a continued section 7.0.2 order under the Reopening Ontario Act.
Under Ontario's current public health restrictions religious gatherings are limited to ten people. Face coverings must also be worn and physical distance maintained. Anyone convicted of violating the health regulations can face a minimum fine of $750. Organizers of large gatherings could be fined a minimum of $10,000 upon conviction.
Watch Police Officers being charged for exercising their Charter rights…
Curious why the news left out that active duty officers were being charged...https://t.co/QAwvbfBbe9
Full Video:https://t.co/TQdfsJigt8#ONPoli #CDNPoli #NoMoreLockdowns #WeMustResist pic.twitter.com/EDW2upGlOP
— Randy Hillier (@randyhillier) April 22, 2021