TORONTO – A disciplinary tribunal will weigh whether a Toronto police officer who had cocaine in his wallet should be demoted for a year and submitted to random drug tests.
Det.-Const. Kirk Blake pleaded guilty Monday to a misconduct charge under the Police Services Act. A second misconduct charge was withdrawn.
In a joint submission to the tribunal, Blake’s lawyer and a police inspector said the officer should be given a chance to redeem himself.
They described Blake as an otherwise exemplary officer who has taken responsibility for his actions.
Under the proposal, Blake would go from first-class constable to second-class constable for a year and be automatically reinstated after that time provided he abides by a series of conditions that include not possessing or using drugs, as well as passing random drug tests at his employer’s discretion.
The tribunal has not yet set a date for its decision.