Ottawa police officer demoted for drunk dangerous driving

Article content

An Ottawa Police Services constable has been demoted for 14 months for discreditable conduct, after previously pleading guilty to charges under the Police Act, saying he was under significant stress at the time due to a protracted dispute with his neighbours.

A decision from hearing officer Superintendent Chris Rheaume, released on June 3, said Const. Umer Khan will be demoted from a first class constable to second class constable for 14 months for two counts of discreditable conduct. The Police Act charges came after Khan pleaded guilty to criminal charges of driving while drunk, and dangerous driving.

Article content

The decision says Khan was off-duty on June 23, 2018, when he attended the Casino Du Lac Leamy in Gatineau with a friend, where he consumed “a considerable amount of alcohol” before driving back to Ontario.

Around 2 a.m., Sûreté du Québec police clocked Khan travelling at 123 kilometres per hour in a 70 km/h zone, and attempted to pull him over. Khan, though, “slowed before rapidly accelerating” towards the bridge into Ottawa, according to the agreed statement of facts.

Police followed Khan as he was “dodging through traffic” on King Edward Avenue, at one point driving 100 km/h in a 40 km/h zone through vehicle and pedestrian traffic, the decision reads. Police eventually found Khan into a parking lot, where his passenger appeared to be vomiting, the decision reads. There, Quebec police arrested Khan at gunpoint. A breathalyzer revealed his blood-alcohol concentration was twice the legal limit.

During criminal proceedings in 2019, Khan pleaded guilty before Gatineau Justice Alexandra Marcil to dangerous driving and drunk driving charges, for which he was fined $1,000 and given one year of probation. He also lost his driver’s license for a year, which ended up lasting sixteen months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rheaume’s decision says.

Article content

READ MORE: “I messed up”: Troubled Ottawa cop fined $1,000 for drunk driving

During an interview for the professional misconduct charges, Khan said he had been under significant stress due to a neighbour dispute that was before civil court.

As previously reported by this newspaper, an eight-year feud between Khan and his neighbours, Serge and Sylvie Bujold, led to 12 bylaw complaints, two police conduct investigations, a peace bond application, a criminal mischief charge — and one lawsuit for defamation, harassment and the infliction of mental distress.

A judge ultimately awarded Khan $25,000 in general damages after an eight-day civil trial, with Ontario Superior Court Justice Sally Gomery saying the Bujolds “crossed the line.”

READ MORE: Judge says couple ‘crossed the line’ in epic, eight-year feud with neighbour

Rheaume wrote that Khan, with more than 21 years of experience as a police officer, had worked as a coach officer and had multiple training certifications, and should have used better judgement on that night in June 2018.

“The public must be assured that its police officers will always demonstrate professionalism in their actions — whether they are on or off duty,” Rheaume wrote. “Constable Khan has eroded public trust by engaging in this type of behaviour.”

Article content

Rheaume said the seriousness of Khan’s misconduct was an aggravating factor in deciding an appropriate punishment, but added the constable “expressed sincere remorse and regret for his actions.

“He was ashamed of what he did, and this demonstrates his appreciation and recognition oft he seriousness of his misconduct.”

Rheaume said Khan’s “extensive” experience as a police officer suggested he should have known better than to drive dangerously, and while drunk, but said ultimately he considered “Khan’s employment history a mitigating factor” for determining the appropriate punishment.

“Every sworn officer must know fully well that they are held to a higher standard, and that they must not drive while under the influence of alcohol and in a dangerous manner,” Rheaume wrote. “The penality imposed in this matter must impress upon all police officers the message that they cannot drink and drive while under the influence of alcohol, nor in a dangerous manner.”

With files from Postmedia

Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed.

Article content