London police officer pleads guilty to discreditable conduct

LONDON — The former head of the London Police Service’s human trafficking unit pleaded guilty to a count of discreditable conduct for releasing an out-oftown officer who was arrested in a “John sting.”

On Friday, Sgt. Michael Hay, 44, made the plea at a Police Services Act hearing held at London Police headquarters.

The Record previously reported that the officer released by Hay, and who is now deceased, was a constable with the Waterloo Regional Police Service — this information was not presented at the hearing.

According to an agreed statement of facts presented Friday, London Police conducted a “John sting” on April 19, targeting people who were “purchasing sexual services of females.”

At 8:30 p.m., a man “attended a predetermined location and was arrested for communicating for the purpose of obtaining sexual services.”

London Police then identified him as a police officer from another service.

“Upon being notified of the arrest and after confirming the arrested male was in fact a police officer who was very close to retirement, Sgt. Hay utilized his discretion to direct the subject male to be warned and released unconditionally,” reads the statement of facts.

Altogether, the sting resulted in the arrest of five men — but only four were charged.

The officer who was let go retired on April 27 and was later criminally charged on June 7. Waterloo Regional Police have previously said that he filed his retirement papers before his arrest.

According to the statement of facts, when Hay was asked by a senior officer about the release of the arrested officer he “took responsibility for his actions.”

Hay has served as a London Police officer for 18 years with no prior disciplinary record.

Hay was originally facing three professional misconduct charges under the Police Services Act, but two — neglect of duty and insubordination — were withdrawn on Friday as a result of the guilty plea.

The hearing’s officer, retired deputy chief Terrance Kelly, said he accepted the penalty provided in a joint submission which includes Hay forfeiting 120 hours of work, completing mandated training in police ethics and continuing with counselling.

“He has accepted responsibility for his actions, plead guilty at the first available opportunity and has accepted the sanctions that are going to be imposed,” said London Police Chief John Pare, following the hearing.

“I’m not excusing his actions in this incident, I am, however, confident that Sgt. Hay will continue to be a valued member of our service.”