The Sarnia Police Service and The Sarnia Observer face scrutiny after publishing details of a sensitive investigation in violation of a court-ordered publication ban. While the original posts were removed, prohibited information continues to circulate on official social media channels, raising concerns about legal liability and the integrity of the judicial process.
Story update as of 2:30pm on Feb 23, 2026: Sarnia Police clarify publication ban confusion following teacher arrest
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On February 21, the Sarnia Police Service and The Sarnia Observer published a media release regarding a 33-year-old Sarnia resident facing several serious charges, including sexual assault and sexual exploitation. The report identified the individual as a local educator and detailed allegations involving multiple students in 2023 and 2024. Shortly after the information was widely shared, the SPS removed the post, stating they "learned of a publication ban after posting".
Despite the formal retraction, the prohibited details remain easily accessible to the public. While the primary post was deleted, the SPS left a secondary Facebook thread (with 236 comments and counting) active where the community has continued to share the suspect’s name, the school, and the specific charges. Users have openly reposted the text of the original banned media release in the comment sections, sharing the original Sarnia Observer articles, effectively bypassing the court order intended to protect the identities of the victims.
This ongoing circulation of banned material highlights a persistent issue with how official police channels are managed. The department has previously faced criticism for allowing its social media platforms to serve as a hub for unverified information and community speculation. This latest oversight occurs amid growing discussions regarding taxpayer-funded gossip and the legal risks associated with the mismanagement of the Sarnia Police Facebook page.
The legal implications of failing to moderate these comments are significant. The 2025 Ontario Small Claims Court ruling in Belliveau v. Quinlan established that page administrators can be held liable for illegal or defamatory content they have the power to delete but choose to leave public. By allowing the publication ban to be breached repeatedly in their own comment sections, the police may be exposing the Police Services Board to litigation while simultaneously risking the prosecution of the case.
Community reaction has been a mixture of concern for student safety and frustration over the lack of clear communication. Some parents reported receiving emails from the school describing the situation as "rumours" shortly before the arrest was announced, leading to a sense of confusion among families. Others have noted that when a publication ban is broken, the judicial process can be compromised, potentially leading to mistrials or the dismissal of charges.
The incident reveals a breakdown in the administrative process between the courts and local law enforcement. While publication bans are designed to provide privacy for complainants, the initial rush to publish and the subsequent failure to moderate community discussion has resulted in the widespread dissemination of protected information.
The Sarnia Police Service has stated they will "review this ban and will repost as appropriate," though the information already remains part of the public record through their own social media channels.
