Jailed Hamilton police officer who tried to plant a gun on suspect quits

A Hamilton police constable serving time after a criminal conviction has resigned from the service.

That means Const. Robert Hansen’s disciplinary hearing into a Police Services Act insubordination charge will just be formality to close the case.

Hansen has tendered his resignation, prosecutor Marco Visentini said during a conference call Tuesday.

“I can confirm for you on the record now that officer Hansen has resigned, effective Aug. 5.”

Visentini and Belchior Arruda, a police association representative, agreed to speak about the case again Aug. 23 at Hamilton’s central station, allowing time for the 12-year veteran’s resignation to be processed.

Hansen, who’s in jail for a separate criminal conviction, is accused of disobeying a suspension order that forbade him to contact suspended fellow officer Craig Ruthowsky.

Both officers served on the gangs and guns enforcement unit.

Hamilton police spokesperson Catherine Martin told The Spectator that the August 23 date is meant to handle the final disposition of Police Service Act charge.

“The expectation is that the charges will be stayed as the tribunal loses jurisdiction upon the resignation/retirement of members,” Martin said in an email.

In January, Hansen was convicted of one count of perjury and two counts of obstructing justice for encouraging an informant to plant a gun at the home of a suspect in 2012. He was sentenced to five years in prison. Supt. George Bench of the Niagara Regional Police took over as hearing officer after the previous officer retired from that service.