A suspended Sarnia police officer faces further charges, police say.
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Police responded Friday to a dispute involving two people who knew each other, one of whom was a suspended officer, Sarnia police said in a news release Sunday.
No more details about the dispute were being released, to protect the identity of the victim, police said.
Sean Van Vlymen, 47, of Sarnia was arrested Sunday and charged with assault, criminal harassment, animal cruelty and mischief, police said.
Van Vlymen was released with conditions after a bail hearing and pending his next court date, police said.
Van Vlymen has been suspended since Aug. 29, 2023, and prohibited from performing the duties of a police officer, said Chief Derek Davis in a statement.
Van Vlymen was charged with assault causing bodily harm by Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit in July 2023.
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The charge is in connection with an Oct. 23, 2022 incident, in which a man suffered a serious injury, SIU officials have said.
Details have not been provided since the matter is before the courts, SIU officials have said.
Van Vlymen’s suspension remains in effect pending the outcome of the criminal court process, Davis said, adding he’s ordered an immediate disciplinary investigation into the latest charges.
“Only at the conclusion of that investigation will any additional determinations be made regarding potential CSPA (Community Safety and Policing Act) charges or suspension modifications (with or without pay),” Davis’ statement reads.
“These circumstances are deeply troubling to our members, civilian and sworn, who continue to professionally serve our community every hour of every day,” Davis’ statement says. “The Sarnia Police Service remains committed to swiftly and transparently addressing these matters within legally available legal frameworks.”
Van Vlymen was also fined, hit with driving limitations and demoted after being charged by OPP with impaired Driving in an off-duty incident in March 2023 at the Blue Water Bridge.
That charge was dropped after Van Vlymen was pleaded guilty to careless driving under the Highway Traffic Act.
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