CFN -As a result of the Ottawa Police investigation into allegations of a male portraying himself as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces on November 11 at the Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa, the Ottawa Police Central District Investigations Unit has charged Franck GERVAIS, 32 years old of Cantley Quebec with the following:
– 1 count of Personating a Public Officer per section 130 (1)(a) Criminal Code
– 1 count of Personating a Public Officer (misleading use of badge, uniform) per section 130 (1)(b) Criminal Code
– 1 count of Unlawful Use of Military Uniforms per section 419 (a) Criminal Code
– 1 count of Unlawful Use of Military Decoration per section 419 (b) Criminal Code
Gervais attended the Ottawa Police station on November 15th. He was arrested, charged and released on a Recognizance and undertaking to appear in court on December 9, 2014.
The investigation into this matter remains ongoing.
The Ottawa area man was also suspended from his job as well.
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Franck Gervais obviously has mental issues. Technically he committed a crime, but was anyone harmed? Will he get the help he needs, or just be prosecuted and punished?
“Franckly” I think it was ridiculous that he was charged unless the police aren’t disclosing some nefarious act or intent that the media haven’t.
So a crime is measured by personal injury? It can be argued that anyone committing a “crime” has mental issues. Why have laws at all? Maybe what we need are better excuses or just plain anarchy. This speaks to the Canadian dilemma, a nation of spineless apathetic socialists. Home to the great “Someone should do something”. Maybe we should all impersonate individuals with solid educational foundations and copious amounts of commonsense, no law against that, is there?
What is even more funny about this Gervais fellow is that he got married in that uniform. His wife must have known about him and his mental issues. Believe me people there are plenty of people here in Ottawa with mental issues. You should see how they drive on the streets and when they shop in the stores they pretty well run you over with their shopping carts. There must be something here in the water as well since Ottawa went from a nice place to a nut h ouse. Gee I am here to add to the mixture as well. LOL LOL. ROLF!
That’s a little over the top David. You’d rather prosecute and punish the mentally ill for committing a minor crime rather than getting them the help they need? Brilliant as always! “Spineless apathetic socialists”? That’s almost funny. You consider the treatment of mental illness and the prevention of crime a spineless socialist ideal? Seriously?
Furtz this man did commit a crime posing as a member of the armed forces and yes he needs treatment but the man has to agree to the treatment otherwise he cannot be forced into it. We have already seen a man in Cornwall from a prominent family posing as a lawyer here in Ottawa and ripping people off and now in prison. People have to pay for what they do Furtz whether they are mentally ill or not but to do the things that they do something is wrong somewhere.
Jules this man may simply have not known better and meant no harm. He may just be a harmless dumb ass. And if that’s so he doesn’t deserve to have his life ripped up. It’s ironic how this makes headlines, but the cover up of Mr. Brownell’s poppy adventure isn’t getting much coverage or out rage? Could it be because Franck is just a normal average Joe and Brownell is a former MPP?
By all accounts, this guy has no criminal record and was not known to the police. As Jamie says he might be just be a dumb ass, or he might have a mental glitch. In any case, if these charges stick, his life will be ruined forever. What would that accomplish?
Interesting the way that you twist words to spin your own truth.
You, not I have declared this individual mentally ill.
How do you define a “minor” crime? Is it a crime that is almost not a crime? There is nothing funny about the Canadian situation, our overly laid back attitudes to the point of almost falling down. I made no comment concerning the treatment of mental illness or the prevention of crime. You are a piece of work Furtz, entertaining as hell at times but unable to debate worth a damn.
@ David. Your “spineless apathetic socialists” comment was priceless. Yo da man!
Carry on.
A friendly reminder to all that thousands read this stuff. Please debate away the point, but please do not attack each other personally.
Thanks
Jamie this man might not have known that impersonating a person of the armed forces or even a cop or whatever is a crime or a misdemeanour. The thing is that this isn’t the first time that this man did this but got married in that uniform.
Jamie you heard me say so many times that there is no justice and only JUST US and he is the little fellow and we the little people are the ones who get badly hurt whereas this Jim Brownell who defaces poppies and associates with such people gets away with it and this is mighty sickening and something has to be done about him. I have absolutely no respect at all for this Brownell fellow at all. This Brownell knows the law whereas that other man has an illness and most likely his wife as well. I feel sorry for such people like the man who posed in uniform and know he didn’t hurt people nor defaced poppies nor said anything bad about the military and in fact he praised it. The cops are going by the book. Brownell should be stripped of his title and I wish that this can be done – he doesn’t deserve anything after what he did and a former teacher – you can’t imagine what I know about teachers.
It’s interesting to note that this sad story is now getting more national press coverage than our federal ruling party’s engagement in election fraud, cheating on election expenses, and voter suppression (robo calls). Our law enforcement agencies should have much bigger fish to fry than some fool dressing up in a fake uniform.
So, are some of you saying Franck Gervais should not be charged? If that’s the case then why charge people who dress up in police uniforms? People / society do not learn what is right and wrong by letting broken laws go unpunished.
Police usually have a lot of discretion when it comes to dealing with minor victimless crimes. Often the perp is gets a warning with conditions, and that’s the end of it. In this case, enough people are screaming for his blood that the cops were pretty much forced to nail him to the wall.
Hugger, there’s quite a difference between impersonating a police officer in the commission of a crime and impersonating a soldier to march in a parade. No?
Sorry no. If you allow it where does it end?
Yes, I suppose it could result in thousands of men showing up in fake uniforms to march in military parades.
And impersonating police officers. Not good when someone pretends to be an authority figure.
Come on Hugger. Impersonating a police officer is treated very seriously by our justice system because it almost always involves serious criminal activity. Even you must know that. Some fool putting on a fake uniform to march in a parade isn’t exactly a huge threat to our society. Stupid, asinine and disrespectful maybe, but hardly a crime worthy of prison time.
He was able to get into areas the average Joe would not be able to get to. Does this not raise concerns?
There is something that we are all overlooking since we are having a good chuckle about this man dressed up as a person in the military. Just suppose that it was a criminal of some sort dressed up whether in a military uniform or a cop and he does a crime and then what folks. We would say look at that soldier or cop doing the crime. Or if you need help as a civilian and that fake cop or fake soldier is there but he cannot help you since he isn’t the real thing. You have to think about these things. Maybe the government will send this man for assessment at the Royal Ottawa Psychiatric Hospital to see how deep is his problem and see if he is a danger to society. You wouldn’t believe the amount of sick people out there walking the streets. You can be walking by and someone just attacks you for no reason. I am for taking people off the streets who are dangerous to society. We don’t know anything about this man but he has to have quite a problem to dress up like he did in public. It was good that some military people spotted him before it went any further.
Jules….sort of my point. With him being in uniform far worse could have happened if he had wanted to do harm to dignitaries, etc.
In response to David Oldams question:
“So a crime is measured by personal injury?”
Yes it is. It is also measured by intent. It would appear that Mr. Gervais admires these soldiers greatly, after all, the saying goes ” imitation is the most sincere form of flattery”. This does not excuse his actions but certainly he will have suffered significant embarrassment and is now known Canada wide for his actions. Is that not enough? The fallout from this issue is or has quickly become another version of online and media bullying. It would appear that this man has a psychiatric issue and not criminal intent.
Hugger you and I are on the very same wave length here. This man might in his mind set be an innocent kind of person that has a mental problem but what if he was a criminal (we don’t know) and he dresses up as someone who belongs to the military and goes on a shooting spree or whatever and kills and maims many people. We have many dignitaries here in Ottawa who go to the Remembrance Day out of respect and can you imagine if any of them were killed or mamed. Princess Anne was there as well – can you imagine if something happened to her as well. If an ambassador or one of his representatives of some country were there (which they all attend) was killed or mamed that would be horrendous. People do not think of the inevitable. You never let your guard down for a minute. I hope that Gervais gets help for his illness and gets to understand how serious this is. We laugh and yes it is funny in a way but it is not funny if something horrible happens. The man needs help and now is the time. You are absolutely right Hugger.
It’s weird, eh Jules.
If someone dressed up in a uniform lured a young child, maybe yours, a niece a nephew or grandchild, sexually assaulted them and left them for dead, would you still be a bleeding heart and think that they should not be charged but rather given help and protected from the ridicule of society?
David Oldham…very well put. Perhaps some of the people saying he shouldn’t be charged would care to reply?
You can’t be serious. Comparing Gervais to a child murderer pretty much puts an end to any intelligent discussion.
So Furtz, you`re saying that a child murderer would NOT go to these measures to get what they wanted?
As I said Hugger, this discussion has gone south.
Better watch out for all those perverts disguised as Santa. They’re everywhere right now.
Carry on.
Furtz put down the ovaltene with the cognac and get real. LOL LOL. Can you imagine people impersonating those of authority – now it is a different thing to impersonate a Santa Claus but never a person of authority. Furtz this can be mighty dangerous and much more than you can imagine and this happens a lot and danger sets in. We have a mighty sick society today more than ever before and you can’t tell who is who anymore. Whoever this man is he needs psychiatric help and he can pose a danger to society by impersonation. You would be surprised how many mentally sick people that we see right here in Ottawa. There used to be a man in the park where we go to walk who was under care and he would go and pick the garbage up that people threw from the river bank of the Rideau River and take and throw in onto the parking lot. The stories that I can tell you. Whoever this man is who dressed up as an army guy could have easily killed someone at the cenetaf that day. I am all for every precaution including cameras everywhere. Yes I know it is Big Brother and I don’t mind at all. I just ordered the book called “Animal Farm” from the library and I have to pick that up soon and no it hasn’t anything to do with animals. I know what it is about. I told all of you that I read a lot mostly on the net but I prefer books.
Although I don’t think it has been made official, lets assume for the sake of discussion that Gervais is suffering from a mental illness:
The tone of this discussion shows just how much ignorance there is towards mental illness. Some of you are making gross speculations based on assumptions. A sure way to create panic no doubt. Because one may have a mental illness (and there are many kinds and can occur in varying degrees)by no means makes them a terrorist , murderer or pedophile. To suggest that, is utterly ridiculous. In fact the vast number of people with mental illness are not violent criminals.
Sexual assault and murder, unfortunately, happen quite frequently but I’m not aware of widespread cases of perpetrators being dressed up in military uniforms.
Nor did I suggest that this crime(if it actually is one) should go unpunished. I do suggest that he has probably been punished more in the court of public opinion then many other worse offenders are and would also suggest that he may have learned his lesson from this.
Speaking of bleeding hearts…I’m far from that but If given a choice I would take that over being a politically correct sheep who has joined the lynch mob.
Hugger said:
So Furtz, you`re saying that a child murderer would NOT go to these measures to get what they wanted?
Sorry but that is flawed reasoning.
Lets look at all the pedophiles who dress up like priests, scout leaders coaches and teachers. Oh wait…they were priests, scout leaders, coaches and teachers. The problem with this type of reasoning (which you are using)paints everyone with the same brush. The vast majority of the people I listed above are law abiding citizens. As are those with mental illness.
Forget it Trevor. These guys want Gervais crucified no matter what. There’s no reasoning with that.
Yes, you are probably right Furtz.
I don’t want him crucified, just brought to justice. If anyone else impersonates a soldier or police officer, etc. they would be charged. Why should he be any different.
Agreed Hugger1, the suggestion that he be crucified is rather extremist/dramatic. Justice will suffice nicely. The law exists so use it otherwise remove it, but let us all stop making excuses for people that commit crime. Having been a victim of a violent crime myself I perhaps speak from a different perspective, as I saw no justice.
There is considerable difference between impersonating a police officer and a soldier.
Making use of a penal code is one thing but it’s ability to reduce recidivism is often questionable and certainly no guarantee that it will make you safer. Rehabilitation/ treatment might be more effective in this case. Especially since there is no reason to conclude Mr. Gervais is a violent criminal.
As someone who works in the psychiatric/medical field, I too may speak from a different perspective.
Sadly, Trevor, lots of people think that punishment is the best cure for abnormal behavior. Saddling someone with a criminal record is a life-long punishment.
What’s even more sad is what’s defined as abnormal behavior….
Who said he had mental issues? Not I or the Ottawa Police. Perhaps he just wanted to be a soldier and was rejected during the selection process. If he broke the law he should be punished. Impersonating a police officer or soldier does no one any good. Furtz said “Saddling someone with a criminal record is a life-long punishment.” Perhaps he should have thought of that before he did what he did. And what is the cur-off for not charging people with crimes committed?
Some people believe that not voting for the Cons is abnormal behavior!
Actually Hugger, the police took Gervais (forcefully) to a hospital in 2013 because he was in mental distress. He was never charged, and has never been charged with anything until now.
Being arrested and not charged doesn’t mean he has mental issues. I firmly believe if you break the law you should face the consequences. If you do the crime be prepared to do the time.
Carry on Hugger. You clearly have the answers when it comes to dealing with people who have mental issues.
G’night Bro.
It appears that no one was physically harmed or robbed by Mr. Gervais actions. No attempts to harm anyone occurred. There was not even a sinister plot to blow up parliament hill. IMAGINE!
Then what could possibly have been his motive? Surely he must be a vile criminal that needs to be brought to JUSTICE!
No. By all indications this appears to be mental illness.If it is proven otherwise than I will stand corrected.But if I’m right, justice would be best served by rehabilitation /treatment.
Even a number of veterans have come out publicly and said this.
I am curious to know how the lynch mob would side, if this was a vet with post traumatic stress, who ran afoul of the law but no one was harmed, robbed etc.
Where is there any indication of mental illness? Furtz mentions “mental distress.” What exactly does that mean? We all have bad days, could that have been the case when he was taken to a hospital in 2013?
Lynch mob? NO!! He committed a crime, he should do the time.
He isn’t a vet with PTSD, so let’s not confuse the matter.
Perhaps he was just a normal guy who wanted to feel important. Nothing wrong with that. But when you impersonate a member of the military AND get caught at it you should face the justice system.
Sometimes a person is just a dumb ass and doesn’t know better. I have a hunch that’s all we’re dealing with in this case. He just happened to be interviewed by media. Would we even know about this if he hadn’t? Methinks not. It’s ironic that this story breaks, but the defacement of the poppy and its cover up of Jim Brownell’s role hasn’t….
Yes, perhaps he is just an unlucky dumbass who happened to interviewed by CBC. And yes, if he hadn’t been interviewed nothing further would have happened. But he did get interviewed, so he was caught red-handed. You do the crime, you do the time.
As for our friend Jim Brownell and the defacement of the poppy no other media has picked this up. If it had been picked up there probably would be consequences not just for Jim Brownell, but probably the FB group, as well.
It’s interesting Hugger, that you seem to want the Harper Cons thrown out in the next election, yet you are fully behind their “tough on crime” agenda. They badly want to get our incarceration rate up closer to US levels, and that goal will be achieved by locking up every petty criminal.