Officer demoted for booking vacation during trial, deceiving Crown

An Edmonton police officer avoided dismissal from the force Tuesday after committing “one of the most egregious transgressions an officer can commit.”

Police disciplinary hearing presiding officer Fred Kamins sanctioned Const. Ashley Rosenow with a two-year demotion and a reduction in pay for deceiving a Crown prosecutor in an impaired driving case where she was an investigating officer.

Rosenow, who joined the city police in October 2012, was with the service for about a year when she investigated a hit-and-run collision. A female driver involved in the collision was charged with impaired driving and failure to remain at the scene. It was Rosenow’s first time investigating an impaired driving case.

Rosenow was served a subpoena to testify in court. She booked a vacation that conflicted with the trial dates.

Presenting officer Derek Cranna said at Tuesday’s hearing that Rosenow displayed “patterns of inappropriate actions toward the Crown.”

In addition to failing to obey the subpoena, Rosenow made comments to the Crown about the investigation that differed from notes about the case. The difference was so significant the Crown believed she could not provide proper evidence, Cranna said. The charges against the driver were stayed.

Rosenow’s actions caused “significant detriment to the operation of the justice system,” Cranna said. They indicate she was unwilling to do a fundamental policing role: attend court and testify to support her investigation, he said.

Cranna and Rosenow’s counsel, Mike Danyluik, presented a joint submission on the suggested penalty for Rosenow. They asked she receive a demotion in rank for two years and a subsequent reduction in pay.

They did not seek Rosenow’s dismissal from the service because of her admission of guilt, willingness to take responsibility and because she was still in the training phase of her career when the incident occurred.

“She gets it,” Danyluik said. “She is embarrassed by the mistake and wants the chance to rectify that.”

Kamins accepted the submission, saying while he considered dismissal, the police chief didn’t seek it.

“You are very fortunate,” Kamins told Rosenow.

“Police officers are relied upon for their honesty,” Kamins said. “Understand that while this hearing closes one aspect of this saga, it will be a long time before you put this behind you. You will be called upon to defend your character time and time again.”

Rosenow will incur a loss of up to $35,000 over two years as result of the demotion’s salary cut. She anticipates taking maternity leave this year, which affects the financial penalty’s amount.