Tarnishing the Force

His lawyer claims that alcohol played no role in the crash caused by his client.  Despite that his client accompanied a friend to St. Louis's Bar and Grill on St. Patrick's Day last year, admitting to having had "some beers".  After he left the drinking establishment, he just happened to crash his 2001 Honda Accord into a utility pole on Montreal Road at 1:00 a.m.

Alcohol, under the circumstances obviously did indeed play a role in this incident.  A clear enough case of driving under the influence.  After the driver hit the pole a pedestrian entered the scene, concerned about the driver.  The driver backed up and gunned the accelerator, almost hitting another vehicle.  turning onto the Vanier Parkway, he rear-ended a taxi near Donald Street.

The driver passed the taxi, exiting onto Highway 417, driving west to the Nicholas Street off-ramp, where he abandoned his damaged car a little later near Henderson Avenue and Templeton Street.  Did no one think to call the police?  His dangerous, erratic, irresponsible driving might have killed another motorist, a pedestrian, even himself.

Oh, he was the police.  An Ottawa police sergeant with 20 years under his professional belt.  He was, in the past as it happens, the recipient of commendations from lawyers, chiefs of the Ottawa police and other forces, community groups and colleagues, according to testimony given to the police disciplinary hearing he stood before.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and failing to report an accident under the Highway Traffic Act.  The Ottawa police prosecutor recommended demotion from the rank of sergeant to first-class constable for a period of eight months, his salary taking a hit of about $7,000 for the period in question.  He had earlier received a conditional discharge.

St. Chris McGuinness is expected to complete a year of probation.  He was fined $250 and his driver's license was suspended for a year.  He pleaded guilty both to the criminal charges and the Police Services Act charges, both of which he was commended for, for taking "responsibility".

Given the gravity of his conduct, the seriousness of the charges against him, and the single outstanding fact that these actions were taken by a 20-year veteran of the Ottawa police force who chose to drink and drive, the penalties imposed upon this man are fairly light.

Not a terrifically great message to send to the community about drinking and driving.