He faces professional misconduct charges and a one-year demotion after conviction
A Durham Regional Police officer has been handed a one-year demotion following a conviction for impaired driving, which involved hitting another officer with his vehicle.
Detective Constable Paul Twiddy received the demotion after a disciplinary hearing in Oshawa, Ontario, where he pleaded guilty to discreditable conduct. The decision comes after Twiddy was criminally convicted of impaired driving last year.
The incident occurred on the evening of September 8, 2023. Twiddy, a 17-year veteran of the force, drove into an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer who was investigating a separate collision near 912 Frankford Road in Quinte West. The OPP officer sustained minor injuries.
At the scene, OPP officers said they detected a faint odour of alcohol from Twiddy and requested he take a roadside screening test, which he failed. Twiddy was arrested and charged with impaired operation of a vehicle, impaired driving with a blood alcohol concentration over 80 mg, and dangerous driving. He later pleaded guilty to the impaired driving charge, resulting in the other charges being withdrawn.
Twiddy received a one-year driving prohibition and a $2,500 fine, according to CTV News.
In February, following his criminal conviction, Twiddy was charged under the Police Services Act with professional misconduct. On June 4, Hearing Officer Robert F. Gould released a disciplinary decision, confirming the misconduct had been proven based on clear and convincing evidence.
As a result, Twiddy is set to face a 12-month demotion from first-class constable to second-class constable that will take effect when he returns from medical leave.
