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OPP officer charged with impaired driving

PostPosted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 3:09 am
by Thomas
Police officer charged with impaired driving

ORO-MEDONTE TWP. - An Ontario Provincial Police officer who works out of General Headquarters in Orillia has been charged with impaired driving.

Shortly after 10 a.m., Thursday, Barrie OPP officers responded to the report of a motorist driving erratically in Highway 11's northbound lanes near Line 3 in Oro-Medonte Township. The vehicle was stopped between the Lines 10 and 11.

The driver was arrested and taken to the Barrie OPP detachment.

"The OPP holds all of its officers accountable to a high standard and we do expect all members to be held to that standard," Barrie OPP Const. George Silvestri said Thursday.

The driver will also be investigated by the OPP's Professional Standards Bureau, Sgt. Peter Leon said.

"They will be doing a proper and thorough follow-up with respect to the matter," he said. "That's what they do best. That's their level of expertise ... dealing with issues involving wrongdoings by members of the service."

Heather Hilliard, 44, of Orillia, has been charged with impaired driving and driving with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

Hilliard works in the provincial operations intelligence bureau at OPP headquarters. She was off-duty at the time of her arrest.

In September 2011, Hilliard was presented with an OPP Accolade Award. A news release from the time stated the award showcased the OPP's "best of the best."

"Accolade Awards are presented to both uniform and civilian OPP personnel who make outstanding contributions to the organization and whose hard work and achievements also underscore the OPP's mission - policing excellence through our people, our work and our relationships," the release stated.

In the media release, Hilliard was listed as working in the witness protection unit.

Hilliard is scheduled to appear in Barrie court April 30.

http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/2012/0 ... ed-driving

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/03/16/of ... ed-driving