Pubdate: Thu, 22 Apr 2010
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Page: A1, Front Page
Copyright: 2010 The Vancouver Sun
Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Authors: Doug Ward and Kelly Sinoski, Vancouver Sun
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

POLICE CHARGE ONE OF THEIR OWN WITH DEALING DRUGS

Five-Year Member of VPD Also Accused of Illegal Use of Police Database

Vancouver police department Constable Peter Hodson was fired and 
arrested Wednesday after being charged with drug trafficking, breach 
of trust and break and enter with the intent to commit extortion.

The 31-year-old officer is also accused of the illegal use of a 
police database.

Police Chief Jim Chu described the case as "highly disturbing and 
disgraceful" during a press conference and said the "rogue officer" 
was surprised when he was arrested at the department's Cambie Street 
headquarters.

Hodson has been charged with one count of trafficking marijuana, two 
counts of breach of trust in relation to selling drugs and the 
illegal use of a police database, as well as break and enter with the 
intent to commit extortion.

Oscar Lapitan was charged jointly with Hodson for trafficking. Police 
did not identify the nature of their relationship.

Hodson had been the subject of an extensive, covert investigation 
since allegations surfaced within the VPD during the Olympic period 
that he was dealing marijuana while on and off duty.

Realizing that the case "would alarm the public and the department," 
said Chu, the VPD "put many more resources into this investigation 
than we ever would for the average street dope dealer."

The VPD wanted to determine quickly whether the allegations were true 
and whether the "rot was confined to this one officer," added the chief.

A secret, off-site office was set up for the probe, which over the 
course of the investigation involved up to 30 police officers, 
including members of the RCMP.

"This joint investigation revealed no evidence that this was anything 
more than the actions of a single rogue officer," said Chu.

This is not the first time Hodson, who had been with the VPD fewer 
than five years and drove a patrol car in east Vancouver, has angered 
his superiors.

Hodson was charged in 2008 with driving while impaired off-duty and 
driving with a blood-alcohol  level exceeding the legal limit.

Hodson was pulled over after another off-duty officer saw a car 
weaving along the road and called 911. Those charges are still before 
the courts.

Chu alleged that the "bad apple" was selling "street-level" 
quantities of pot, which typically involves two pounds or less. The 
offences allegedly occurred between December 4, 2009 and April 20, 2010.

"I want to reassure the public that the integrity of the VPD, while 
shaken by this abhorrent incident, has not been broken," said Chu. 
"The members who became aware of Hodson's conduct saw his actions as 
deplorable and it strengthened their resolve to gather evidence to 
support criminal charges and to rid the VPD of his presence."

Chu said that the case against Hodson developed by the VPD and Crown 
counsel involves both police and non-police witnesses.

Hodson is to make his first court appearance today.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake