Const. Kristina Neilson made her first disciplinary appearance on Thursday morning to face a single charge of disparaging conduct under the Police Services Act. Professional standards investigators – detectives who investigate officer misconduct internally – allege Neilson brought the service into disrepute by “donating money to the ‘Freedom Convoy Fund’ on a website called GiveSendGo”. Police further allege that they “knew, or reasonably should have known, that the money was being raised for the unlawful possession known as the ‘Freedom Convoy’ which took place in the City of Ottawa during the months of January and February 2022.” According to the notice of hearing, which lays out the charges against her, Neilson allegedly made a donation on February 5, three days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the occupation had “become illegal” and the day before the city declared a state of emergency necessity. According to sources with knowledge of the investigation, and in a leaked list of donors, Neilson reportedly made a $50 donation in her son’s name. Part of a comment made online with the donation described her son as having spent almost half his life living during the pandemic and “locked down”. “When I play hockey, I wish I could see my dad smile,” the comment read. “Thank you for fighting for our freedom.” A CBC analysis of GiveSendGo donor data found that at least two dozen names of current and former members of the Ottawa Police Service and Ontario Provincial Police matched the names of people who had donated to the cause. Neilson pleaded not guilty and is next due to appear before a disciplinary officer hearing on September 29.
