A Waterloo Regional Police officer acquitted of a sexual assault charge should be allowed to return to work immediately, his lawyer says.
Jeremy Snyder has been suspended from the service without pay since charges were laid in connection with an incident that occurred in 2012, while he was off-duty.
His lawyer, Bernard Cummins, says Snyder had to “put his life on hold” while the charge loomed over him.
“We’ve been waiting for this day for months and months, and we’re really relieved that it’s finally upon us,” Cummins tells CTV News.
“My client would like to go to work tomorrow, so that he can proudly put on a uniform again.”
Cummins questioned why the trial had to continue for eight days when, in his opinion, it was clear early on a conviction was unlikely.
“Nobody has to account for the decisions made for length or trial, for witnesses called, and for whether there’s a reasonable prospect of conviction,” he says.
There is a 30-day period in which the verdict can be appealed.
Snyder is also charged with discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act.
That charge was put on hold pending the outcome of the criminal trial.
