Niagara cop arrested for third time

Niagara police have arrested one of their own — for the third time in less than a year.

A suspended Niagara Regional Police officer, already facing multiple charges, was taken into custody Tuesday for three breaches of a recognizance.

Const. Mark Taks, 25, of Stoney Creek, remains in custody. A Wednesday bail hearing was postponed to Friday.

Taks has been suspended with pay for almost a year in accordance with conditions set out by the Police Services Act.

He has been a police officer with the NRP for two years.

Last April, Taks was charged with criminal harassment and harassing telecommunications in connection with an incident that occurred while he was off duty. That investigation began when police were contacted by a member of the public on Feb. 28.

In October, Taks and a 25-yearold man from Ottawa were both arrested and charged with drug possession and trafficking. The NRP began its investigation into the trafficking of steroids and other narcotics including cocaine, prescription drugs and marijuana in May. According to court papers, the offences Taks was charged with occurred in St. Catharines and Hamilton.

The NRP charged Taks Tuesday after they said he violated court conditions of his recognizance — including that he not possess or consume any unlawful drugs or substances except with a valid prescription.

Police also charged Taks with breaching a condition that he not possess any cellular or mobile communication device.

The NRP allege a first breach occurred on March 14 when, they say, Taks violated a condition that he not attend a gym, fitness centre or nutritional supplement store without one of his sureties. There was one fitness centre listed in the court documents he was allowed to attend.

Niagara Regional Police Chief Bryan MacCulloch said in a news release that he is committed to being accountable and transparent to the public and his own rank and file.

“These charges are the result of an ongoing criminal investigation,” MacCulloch said. “Transparency and maintaining public trust are vital to the Niagara Regional Police Service. When that trust is threatened, we are all affected. It is unacceptable when one of our own members is in any way in violation of this.”