https://canlii.ca/t/g2lwx is R. v. Rudge, 2014 ONSC 241
Officer Rudge passed confidential reports ABOUT Hell’s Angels to the Hell’s Angels.
Previously, RSJ Fuerst handled by extortion charges from August 23, 2018 by involving Crown Peter Westgate who then withdrew the charges. Her honour found Hell’s Angels to be a criminal organization. So, Officer Rudge handed over police reports to a Hell’s Angels member in order for that member to impress other that he had a cop working for him.
Ridge was jailed for 4 years, but not before some scathing comments by the court:
[62] I am mindful that the maximum sentence is five years for breach of trust and the submission of Mr. Evans that the maximum or a sentence close to the maximum should be reserved for the worst offence and the worst offender which this is not. One can imagine a worse offence.
[55] THE STABILITY OF SOCIETY RESTS ON THE INTEGRITY OF POLICE OFFICERS. It is the function of police to investigate persons suspected of criminal offences, gather evidence against them and provide that evidence to the crown for the purpose of prosecuting them. The Criminal Code places great power in the hands of the police to gather evidence and to arrest suspected offenders. The intelligence departments of police forces provide their members with confidential information to use in the performance of their functions. WHEN A POLICE OFFICER USES THAT POWER TO ASSIST OTHERS IN THE COMMISSION OF CRIMINAL OFFENCES HE VIOLATES THE TRUST SOCIETY PLACES IN HIM. He also breaches the trust which his fellow officers placed in each other. POLICE OFFICERS WILL NOT TRUST EACH OTHER UNLESS THEY ARE CONFIDENT THAT THEIR FELLOW OFFICERS ARE DEDICATED TO THE HIGH STANDARDS OF THE PROFESSION AS THEY ARE.
https://canlii.ca/t/g2lwx Reasons for Judgement
[62] I am mindful that the MAXIMUM SENTENCE IS FIVE YEARS FOR BREACH OF TRUST AND the submission of Mr. Evans that the maximum or a sentence close to the maximum should be reserved for the worst offence and the worst offender which this is not. ONE CAN IMAGINE A WORSE OFFENCE.