SUMMERSIDE – Summerside city police have charged one of their own members, a 22-year veteran of the force, with impaired driving and refusing the breathalyzer.
Cpl. David Murphy is scheduled to appear in Summerside provincial court on Dec. 13 to answer to the charges, which stem from a two-vehicle collision on Nov. 5.
Police were called to the scene of the crash, at the corner of Central Street and Pope Road, at 1:30 p.m. There was extensive damage to both vehicles.
A Summerside woman was taken to Prince County Hospital in Summerside and later released.
An off-duty city police officer was taken into custody at the time.
The RCMP were called in to assist, which is customary when an investigation involves a member of the force.
Summerside Police Services has also launched an internal code of conduct investigation into the matter.
Murphy has been on extended leave from the force for the past 11 months, where he will remain while the matter is before the courts.
“Summerside Police Services would like to ensure the public that our members take road safety and impaired driving very seriously,” said deputy chief Sinclair Walker in a news release.
“I would like to commend our officers on their professionalism in dealing with this investigation. We would also like to thank the RCMP for their assistance in investigating the accident.”
The amount of drunk driving going on here is astonishing in this day and age. Why is it not socially unacceptable? What is wrong with people that they don't think it's a serious crime?