Police officer charged with misconduct pleads guilty

By Sean Previl

A police constable has been found guilty of misconduct after a police hearing Mar. 4.

Const. Aaron Naklie of the Windsor Police Service pleaded guilty to charges of insubordination and discreditable conduct.

During the hearing, prosecutor David Amyot said Naklie was attending a a car crash incident Dec. 31, 2011 when a driver in a Chevrolet Cobalt sped through the closed scene.

Naklie searched for the driver’s license plate and discovered the vehicle had been involved in a prior road rage incident.

Naklie went to the driver’s home to issue a ticket and offered the man advice.

“(The officer) discussed an allegation of road rage and was discussing what some people might have done if they had been subjected to road rage,” said Andrew McKay, defence lawyer for Naklie. “One was he was hypothesizing in relation to options that some people would have.”

McKay said Naklie cautioned the driver that in a road rage someone could threaten you with a knife or a gun.

The man filed a complaint with the WPS a few days after Naklie’s visit.

Amyot and McKay came to a joint decision about the charges and Amyot said it was due to the steps Naklie had taken.

“Constable Naklie at that time had personal issues at play,” said Amyot during the hearing. “(Naklie has been) receiving counseling and will be completing a full course of treatment.”

McKay said Naklie was just trying to protect others in the city.

“What would you do if that was your family being subjected to some road rage,” said McKay. “You would do whatever you had to do to protect your family and your community and that’s what the officer was trying to do.”

Morris Elbers, a retired OPP superintendent, presided over the hearing.

“You’re starting off on a new path,” said Elbers. “You can begin your career again and put this behind you.”

Elbers commended Naklie for his decision on the charges.

“You stepped up to the plate. It’s not often I see officers plead guilty, usually it’s dragged out,” said Elbers.

Naklie was sentenced to complete the counseling in relationship management he was currently receiving and will lose 24-hours pay.

 

Cutline: Defence lawyer Andrew McKay speaks with the press following the police hearing of Const. Aaron Naklie at Windsor Police Headquarters Mar. 4. (Photo by: Sean Previl)