An Ottawa police officer who made crude sexual comments to a female colleague during a training exercise has been docked 140 hours pay, according to a disciplinary decision.
Const. Andre Hart pleaded guilty to misconduct and admitted making unwelcome comments of a sexual nature to a female officer during a mandatory use-of-force training exercise in February.
Hart said he “likes it rough” during a takedown exercise and called a restraint drill “a turn on” and “foreplay” that he does “every morning.”
The comments were “clear and convincing evidence” of workplace sexual harassment, according to a July 23 settlement signed by Hart and adjudicator Maureen Helt of the Ontario Police Arbitration and Adjudication Commission.
Hart has been a police officer since 2005 and was a sworn member of the Toronto Police Service from 2005 to 2019 before joining the Ottawa Police Service.
Hart was the subject of another disciplinary matter imposed by Chief Eric Stubbs in March 2025 after “making an offensive remark about another officer” that was related to grounds protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code. Hart forfeited one day of pay in that case and received counselling from a superintendent on workplace harassment, violence and discrimination.
In the most recent case on Feb. 2, 2026, Hart admitted making unwelcome sexual comments on the first day of annual use-of-force requalification training, where he was partnered with a female officer and another male officer.
During a morning training scenario on takedown techniques, Hart “incorrectly wrapped his arms below (the female officer’s) knees, causing significant discomfort, and drove her forward with force.”
The officer said the takedown caused her pain and both officers told Hart he was performing the drill incorrectly and in an unsafe manner, according to an agreed timeline of the misconduct.
Hart was told to correct his technique to avoid being too rough when he replied that he “likes it rough.”
Later in the morning, during training on temporary restraint drills, the female officer said they would practice “hog-tying” people.
“That’s a turn on,” Hart said, while the female officer replied, “Ew, no. Not like that.”
Hart then said, “This is foreplay for me. I do it every morning.”
Hart’s sexual comments made the female officer uncomfortable, according to the agreed facts, and she approached a supervisor at the lunch break and “expressed her unease about having further interactions with Const. Hart during the training — particularly as the afternoon drills involved mounting techniques.”
The female officer was partnered with other instructors for the remainder of the session “to prevent any further distress.”
Hart co-operated with investigators from the Ottawa police professional standards (internal affairs) section, expressed remorse for his actions and accepted responsibility, according to the decision.
He pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct by making comments of a sexual nature “that he knew or ought reasonably to have known were unwelcome, thereby engaging in workplace violence or workplace harassment,” according to the disciplinary findings.
Hart will forfeit 140 hours — or about 18 days pay — which represents a financial penalty of about $8,140.
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