A seasoned detective from the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is facing a two-year demotion due to misconduct after a disciplinary hearing concluded she had breached the privacy of families by inappropriately accessing files of deceased children and questioning a parent about a mother’s vaccination status.
Constable Helen Grus was suspended in 2022 following allegations of engaging in an unauthorized project by accessing case files outside her assignment. She was also accused of interfering in an investigation by contacting the father of a deceased infant to inquire about the COVID-19 vaccination status of the mother.
Grus was found guilty of discreditable conduct in March 2025 and recently received a 24-month demotion from first-class constable to second-class constable as a penalty. Retired OPS superintendent Chris Renwick, in justifying the demotion, emphasized the importance of addressing abuse of power and bias-driven actions within the police force.
Renwick expressed deep concern over the unauthorized inquiries made by Grus, emphasizing the sensitive nature of infant deaths and the breach of medical records. He criticized Grus for damaging the reputation of the OPS and highlighted the potential for further harm due to her actions.
Prosecutors pushed for the two-year demotion, citing Grus’s deliberate disregard for rules and checks on police powers. The demotion is considered a significant disciplinary measure, second only to dismissal.
Despite gaining support from vaccine skeptics nationwide, Grus defended her actions, claiming she struggled to see their discreditability. Her defense team suggested the disciplinary process was retaliatory, but the tribunal found no evidence to support this claim.
The demotion is expected to result in a loss of approximately $30,000 in income for Grus, along with $25,000 in missed opportunities since her initial suspension. Renwick criticized the behavior during the hearing, noting poor decorum, name-calling, and constant objections that prolonged the process.