A long-serving detective at the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is facing a two-year demotion due to inappropriate behavior found by a disciplinary tribunal. The detective, Const. Helen Grus, was found to have breached privacy by accessing files of deceased children and questioning a parent about a mother’s vaccination status.
Grus was suspended in 2022 over allegations of unauthorized access to case files not assigned to her. Additionally, she was accused of interfering in an investigation by contacting the father of a deceased infant to inquire about the COVID-19 vaccination status of the child’s mother.
Following a guilty verdict for discreditable conduct in March 2025, Grus was demoted from a first-class constable to a second-class constable for a period of 24 months. Retired OPS superintendent Chris Renwick, in explaining the demotion, emphasized the seriousness of abuse of power and bias-motivated actions within law enforcement.
The tribunal heard arguments from prosecutors highlighting Grus’s deliberate disregard for protocols and the need for accountability in police actions. The demotion, considered a significant disciplinary measure, reflects the gravity of the misconduct.
Despite attracting support from vaccine skeptics, Grus maintained that she struggled to see the wrongdoing in her actions. Her defense team suggested that the disciplinary process was retaliatory, though the tribunal found no basis for this claim.
The demotion will result in a substantial financial loss for Grus, including estimated income and missed opportunities during her suspension. Renwick also criticized the conduct displayed during the hearing, citing unprofessional behavior that prolonged the proceedings.