Prince Albert police officer denies driving while drunk

A police officer accused of impaired driving told court he was not impaired, despite consuming five schooners and seven mixed drinks containing scotch and amaretto at two different bars.

Const. Brett Lee Henry of the Prince Albert Police Service pleaded not guilty and was adamant his blood-alcohol level was under the legal limit on the night of March 2, 2017, and into the morning of March 3.

The trial, which started in April, has already heard evidence from witnesses who said the 14-year veteran showed signs of impairment including an odour of alcohol, slurred speech and trouble walking. Henry told court that sports injuries from hockey and racquetball can make him appear unsteady.

He testified he drove to a third bar and swallowed four prescription anxiety pills in his car on the way, but that he took a taxi home.

He called in sick to work a little after 3 a.m. The staff sergeant who took the call testified Henry sounded “tired and intoxicated.”

Henry was alerted that he was under investigation for impaired driving the next morning; he was charged last July. He has been on administrative duties since then.

On the night of the alleged incident, Henry testified he had talked with a superior officer about mental health among officers and PTSD, and was in a heightened state of anxiety.

Henry said he had been struggling with anxiety and depression from the stress of his job, specifically the death of another officer in a vehicle rollover several years ago. Henry said he was seeing a counsellor and had used about 60 sick days while seeking help.

“My concern was the way we never dealt with mental health issues in the Prince Albert Police Service,” Henry testified.

He told court he phoned another officer early in the night, hoping to find someone to talk with. That officer, Const. Darcy Bear, told court he picked Henry up outside the Gas Tavern, a local bar, and Henry spent about 10 minutes crying in the vehicle before asking to be taken back to the bar.

Bear said Henry smelled of alcohol and was unsteady on his feet.

The case is scheduled to continue Sept. 4 with closing arguments.