3 Ottawa police officers charged in Kanata training explosion

The lawyer for three Ottawa police officers facing criminal charges after an explosion during a training exercise more than a year ago says the officers have the "full support" of the police service and intend to vigorously defend themselves.

The explosion on June 18, 2014,happened during a joint force-entry exerciseinto an abandoned home in Kanata. Ottawa police officers, paramedics and RCMP officers were involved.

Paramedics Craig MacInnes and Reid Purdy suffered serious injuries, but have since returned to their full-time duties. A third paramedic, Bradley Ross, suffered minor injuries, along with two Ottawa police officers.

Ontario's Special Investigations Unithas charged Sgt.MartinRukavinawho wasaccused by fellow officers in an anonymous letter of ignoring safety concernsbefore the training exercise as well asConst. Serge Clement and Const. Carl Grimard.

They are each charged withcriminal negligence causing bodily harm and breach of duty regarding theexplosive substance.

Officers have 'full support,' lawyer says

All three officers are scheduled to appear in Ottawa court on Sept. 8.

The officers remain on active duty with pay, said Bill Carroll, who currently represents all three officers.

"The officers are very grateful that they have the full support of their police service and will be remaining in the positions they currently occupy," Carroll said Thursday.

"These officers, at every step of the way, followed their protocols, followed their training and employed materials that had been used for decades in this enterprise, and something went wrong. But to suggest that there's negligence, let alone criminal negligence, is beyond the pale."

Police union frustrated by charges

Sources familiar with the investigation told CBC News constables Clement and Grimard are bomb technicians with the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosivesunit.Their duties include creating the charges used in explosives.

Rukavina is no longer with the tacticalunit. He is now a patrol officer after being transferredearlier this year.

The president of the Ottawa Police Association said he's frustrated with the criminal charges being laid by an oversight body that doesn't have oversight of its own.

"It's completely demoralizing. ... You've been provided a mandate from the province as well as the public to execute your duties professionally, you do so, and you turn around and [they're] criminalizing the profession," Matt Skof said.

"It's incredibly disappointing....Frustration is the only word I can come up with."

Last month, the Ontario Ministry of Labour laid 10charges againstthe City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Police Services Boardconnected to the explosion.

An internal Ottawa policeinvestigation by itsProfessional Standards Section is still active but will not be resolved until theSIU case is complete.