A five-year veteran of the Waterloo Regional Police Service has pleaded not guilty to discreditable conduct and neglect of duty charges.
Const. Amy Hodgson appeared in front of a Police Services Act tribunal on Friday in connection with 'sloppy work' that allegedly led to the dismissal of drug charges.
In 2010, Hodgson pulled over a car in Kitchener and a second cruiser arrived to assist. The other officer found cocaine in the vehicle and the driver was charged with possession.
The tribunal alleges that in her notes Hodgson wrote the motorist was speeding, driving erratically and making suspicious stops.
However, when Hodgson testified nine months later, the allegations say she hadn't reviewed her notes and told the court the vehicle wasn't speeding and only made one stop at a coffee shop.
There was also no reference in the notes about the cocaine, though she did testify about the drugs in court.
A statement of facts alleges that Hodgson's actions or inactions resulted in inconsistent and/or inaccurate testimony at the trial, and led to the Crown withdrawing the charges.
None of the charges has yet been proven.
Ian Sweet, a representative of the Waterloo Regional Police Association, says "We're here to support Const. Hodgson. She has chosen, which she has a right to do under our constitution, to retain her own lawyer for this…so my role here is to support Const. Hodgson as she goes through a very difficult and trying time."
On Thursday, Waterloo Regional Police Const. Jennifer Falsetto was found guilty of misconduct charges after admitting to buying and smoking marijuana.
A number of other officers are still facing charges.
Waterloo Regional Police Chief Matt Torigian says he can't discuss specific cases, but believes this type of process is essential.
"What's most important in our commitment is that we will, in the most transparent way with our community, demonstrate our accountability to ensure that the values of this organization align with the values expected of us from our community.
