A long-serving detective from the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) is facing a two-year demotion for inappropriate conduct following a disciplinary inquiry that revealed her unauthorized access to files pertaining to deceased children and questioning a parent about a mother’s vaccination status.

Constable Helen Grus was placed on suspension in 2022 amid allegations of engaging in an unauthorized project by reviewing case files outside her assigned duties. 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 mother.

In a decision rendered in March 2025, Grus was found guilty of discreditable conduct. Recently, she was demoted from the rank of first-class constable to second-class constable for a period of 24 months as a disciplinary measure. Retired OPS superintendent Chris Renwick stated that the demotion was essential to underscore the seriousness with which law enforcement agencies treat abuse of power and biased actions.

Renwick expressed concern over unauthorized inquiries conducted by a police detective, emphasizing the sensitive nature of investigating infant deaths and accessing protected medical records without proper authorization. He criticized Grus for tarnishing the reputation of the OPS and failing to comprehend the gravity of her actions.

During the tribunal, prosecutors pushed for the two-year demotion, citing Grus’s deliberate circumvention of established protocols as a blatant disregard for the checks and balances in place for police officers. The demotion, considered the second most severe disciplinary action after dismissal, was deemed appropriate by the tribunal.

Grus, who has garnered support from vaccine skeptics nationwide, maintained that she struggled to see how her actions were discreditable. Despite her defense team suggesting a possible reprisal for whistle-blowing, the tribunal found no evidence to support this claim.

The demotion will result in an estimated loss of $30,000 in income for Grus, along with an additional $25,000 in missed opportunities since her initial suspension. Renwick criticized the conduct of counsel during the proceedings, noting instances of poor decorum, name-calling, and unwarranted objections that prolonged the hearing process.