EPS officer placed on leave for supporting convoy protesters in online video

Edmonton police have placed an officer on administrative leave after a video circulating online shows her supporting convoy demonstrators.

Cst. Elena Golysheva was placed on leave, Edmonton Police Service (EPS) spokesperson Cheryl Sheppard confirmed in an email Tuesday evening.

The EPS Professional Standards Branch is conducting an investigation.

In the undated three-minute long video, Golysheva filmed herself – while wearing her police uniform – addressing protesters and fellow police officers dealing with ongoing anti-COVID mandate protests in Ottawa.

“Thank you truckers for standing up for all of us, the Canadian people who live in Canada. I chose this country because I wanted to be free,” said Golysheva, with tears in her eyes.

“My heart has been broken every day when I saw that the very freedom that I moved to Canada for has been taken away. And people who were born here – Canadians – are not recognizing that. It’s very difficult to see that taken away.

“It’s clear in my mind what decision I will make when I’m asked to follow an unlawful order. I’m for freedom of choice, for freedom of conscious, for freedom of speech, for freedom of expression, for freedom of communication, and I’m to serve, protect and help out, you people in Canada.”