Barrie police have charged a city man with accessing and possessing child pornography following an online tip.
On Feb. 25, the Barrie police department's internet child exploitation (ICE) unit arrested and charged a 26-year-old Barrie man following an investigation that began an investigation in December 2021.
Police say they were able to identify the accused and his whereabouts. Officers also seized the suspect's cellphone.
The accused was held for bail and later released with several conditions to abide by.
Barrie police released very little information about the case, but communications co-ordinator Peter Leon said that's to let the public know about general details of the investigation as well as to protect the victims.
“When we put out the news that someone has been arrested in a case like this, involving child pornography, it's more to let the public know that this group of men and women in the ICE are doing their jobs and getting people off the street,” he said. “We cannot risk revictimization and that's why we don’t say much when we put out a statement.”
Leon said the project was made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General which he called “very important.”
“For officers and investigators to have the support of that ministry shows the crucial work they do. It would be very difficult to do it without that kind of support,” he said.
“It is already very hard on these officers, many who have families, who in order to catch the accused have to watch footage most would rather not see. My hat's off to them," Leon added.
