Pubdate: Thu, 26 Apr 2007
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Andrew Seymour, The Ottawa Citizen

CRACK HABIT A DISABILITY, EX-OFFICER'S APPEAL SAYS

An Ottawa police officer who was ordered to resign from the force 
after stealing crack cocaine and smoking it himself will have an 
appeal of his dismissal heard in Toronto today.

Const. Kevin Hall is scheduled to go before a panel of board members 
of the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services in an attempt 
to overturn the dismissal.

In early December, hearing officer Terence Kelly ordered the 
43-year-old constable to resign from the Ottawa police within seven 
days or be fired.

Const. Hall admitted to becoming addicted to crack cocaine after he 
tried the drug for the first time after seizing it from a suspect on 
Nov. 9, 2004.

In addition to buying the drug while on and off duty, Const. Hall 
also admitted to stealing crack cocaine from an evidence envelope and 
taking drugs that were to be destroyed.

In his notice of appeal, Const. Hall alleged Mr. Kelly failed to give 
"proper weight and consideration" to the idea that his drug addiction 
should be considered a disability under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Const. Hall pleaded guilty in May 2006 to eight charges under the 
Police Services Act: five counts of discreditable conduct, two counts 
of corrupt practice and one of neglect of duty.

Const. Hall has been suspended with pay for the past year and a half.
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