Windsor police constable demoted for not disclosing relationship with victim
A Windsor police officer with more than 18 years of experience has been demoted because he did not disclose to his supervisors he was in a relationship with a victim involved in an investigation.
As of Aug. 21, 2022, Sr. Const. Peter Burke will be demoted to First Class Const. for one year.
According to union president Shawn McCurdy, the demotion results in a $17,000 reduction in pay and he says it could result in loss of future raises or promotions.
McCurdy tells CTV News Burke pleaded guilty to three counts of insubordination and one count of discreditable conduct for a relationship that started in 2017 and concluded in 2020.
McCurdy says Burke did not follow conflict of interest directives by “not notifying his supervisor of a relationship with an individual who was deemed to be a victim of crime.”
He says Burke was in the Major Crimes Unit and then the Special Victims Unit of the police force while in a relationship with the victim.
“It was quite a shock,” McCurdy says when the offences were first laid this past June. “(Burke) has an impeccable record and is an extremely valuable member of the Windsor Police Service.”
During the Police Services Board hearings, McCurdy says Burke provided a “genuine statement” of remorse, and apologized to his family, the victim and her family and the entire Windsor Police Service.
Burke has no prior disciplinary action against him in his time as an officer in Windsor.
In a written statement to CTV News, Windsor Police confirm Burke pleaded guilty back in June to the offences.
“The Windsor Police Service Professional Standards Branch launched an investigation immediately upon receiving the complaint and wants the public to know that we do hold our officers accountable when there is misconduct and our actions serve the public interest,” the statement reads.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.