A Waterloo Regional Police sergeant who lied to police about his role in a car crash involving his son is no longer facing any charges under the Police Services Act – but that doesn’t mean he was cleared of wrongdoing.
Instead, Sgt. Michael Allard chose to retire. As he is no longer a police officer, he cannot be charged under the Police Services Act.
Allard had previously pleaded guilty to the criminal offences of fraud and obstructing police.
The charges were laid in connection with a February 2015 incident in which Allard’s 17-year-old son lost control of his vehicle, crashed through a bus shelter on Activa Avenue in Kitchener, and landed in a ditch.
Allard, who was home at the time, went to the crash scene and phoned the crash in to police dispatchers – claiming he was the driver. He also claimed to be the driver when submitting an insurance claim after the collision.
A judge sentenced him to a conditional discharge.
Allard had been suspended from his policing duties with pay since last May.
According to Ontario’s Sunshine List, which details the salaries of every public sector employee earning more than $100,000, Allard was paid $117,082.08 in 2015.
CTV News has learned that Allard has now stopped receiving a salary from Waterloo Regional Police – because he retired from the organization Thursday.
According to his lawyer, Bernard Cummins, the retirement provides a satisfactory resolution to the situation for both Allard and WRPS.
“He wasn’t necessarily planning to retire,” Cummins said.
In a statement to CTV News, Waterloo Regional Police said they had no input into Allard’s decision.
“The decision for Sgt. Allard to retire was his personal decision, and not influenced by the Waterloo Regional Police Service,” the statement reads.
“We wish Sgt. Allard all the best in his future endeavours.”
By retiring, Allard will still receive his pension and benefits. His lawyer says he deserves it.
“He worked for the better part of 31 years without any blight or any wrongdoing on his record,” Cummins said.
