A Waterloo Region police officer, who has pleaded guilty to theft and possession of drugs, claims it was a case of entrapment.
On the final day of a hearing for Const. Andrew Robson, his lawyer claimed it was more than just a test of integrity when police tempted his client with a bag of marijuana.
In 2010, an undercover officer posing as a distraught mother handed over a bag of marijuana to Robson, claiming she found it in her home after a party.
But Robson only turned in about half of the marijuana, and was later found with two ounces in his vehicle.
The officer has testified that he had turned to alcohol and then marijuana to cope because of some traumatic calls he responded to while on the job.
On Thursday, the sergeant who led the operation told Robson’s lawyers that if the officer had done his duty, they wouldn’t be in court now.
The court also learned the operation was described as a ‘reverse sting,’ involved about 15 officers and was designed to test Robson’s integrity.
It was set up in part because an officer who had asked for a transfer alleged Robson and two other officers were smoking a lot of marijuana.
However, the defence alleges it was a case of entrapment, and that investigators could have first talked to his colleagues and looked deeper into Robson’s issues.
All evidence presentation at the hearing has concluded, and submissions will be made in November.
Crown attorney Anik Jodouin says after submissions the judge will have to make a decision.
“Her Honour can either find that Mr. Robson was entrapped, if that’s the case then the charges will be stayed against Mr. Robson. If she finds Mr. Robson was not entrapped, then there will be a finding of guilt and we’ll move on to the sentencing phase of the case.”
Robson was convicted of drug possession and theft charges in July.
