OPP ‘team leader’ accused of possessing, accessing child sexual abuse, exploitation materials

A longtime OPP officer, described by the service as a ‘team leader,’ is facing allegations of possessing and accessing child sexual abuse.

Warning: This article contains disturbing details that may be triggering to readers.

A longtime Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer, described by the service as a ‘team leader,’ is facing allegations of possessing and accessing child sexual abuse and exploitation materials.

Sgt. Chris Weise, 54, is a 28-year veteran of the OPP accused of crimes dating back about eight years to November 2018, and faces allegations of possessing pornography involving child sexual abuse and exploitation from mid-June in Alliston.

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Weise is described by the OPP as a team leader with the Underwater Search and Recovery Unit out of General Headquarters in Orillia. The police service announced Friday that Weise has been off work on a paid unrelated leave. It has not been released when that leave began. He was arrested Sept. 8 in Alliston, according to the police service who announced the charges more than two weeks after Weise was granted bail to a surety on a pledge of $3,000.

Any evidence heard in court during Weise’s bail hearing is protected by a publication ban.

In a statement provided to CTV News, provincial police addressed the charges against Weise and other OPP officers currently before the criminal courts.

“The OPP acknowledges the significance of the recent charges laid against its members,” said a spokesperson. “We recognize the seriousness of these situations and understand the impact they may have. Accountability, professionalism, and integrity are fundamental to maintaining public confidence. The OPP remains committed to these principles. Police officers are necessarily held to a higher standard due to the authorities granted to them.”

The statement added that when concerns are raised about the conduct of its employees, those concerns are taken seriously and “thoroughly investigated” by the OPP.

“No member of our organization is above the law. Trust is earned through actions, not words. We remain committed to doing the work necessary to maintain the confidence of our communities. Ontarians deserve to receive high-quality policing services and should expect nothing less.”

Weise is scheduled to make his first appearance in a virtual Bradford courtroom in a week. The allegations against him have not been tested in court.