The dismissal of an Ottawa police officer who admitted to stealing cocaine from police evidence sends a strong message, said the prosecutor for the case.
"Police officers are expected to have very high levels of duty and this is the message," said Robert Houston, the prosecutor hired by Ottawa's chief of police. "Serious conduct will be treated seriously."
Robert Houston, the prosecutor hired by Ottawa's chief of police, said Hall abused his role as a police officer.
(CBC)
On Monday morning, Const. Kevin Hall was given seven days to resign by police hearing officer Terence Kelly. If Hall does not resign, he will be dismissed.
Hall, 43, has 30 days to appeal the ruling, which he said was a surprise.
But Houston said the ruling was appropriate and necessary.
"Constable Hall ... grossly abused his position as a police officer," Houston said.
In May, Hall pleaded guilty to eight charges under the Police Services Act.
The charges related to accusations that he stole both marijuana and cocaine from suspects he had arrested, bought marijuana and cocaine while on and off duty and stole cocaine from police evidence.
Hall, who joined the Ottawa police in 1999, was suspended without pay in December 2005.
At earlier hearings, Hall begged for a second chance.
He has not been criminally charged.
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