Craig Ruthowsky trial continues

Craig Ruthowsky was angry he was suspended from the Hamilton police and wanted to prove to his superior officers that he was a good cop. That’s what a Toronto jury heard today as the corruption trial comes to the end of its fourth week.

The call that got Ruthowsky arrested started with a casual conversation about the cruise the officer had just returned from. He was speaking to a man Ruthowsky calls an informant, a drug dealer the prosecution says was paying the officer for protection and not an informant at all.

“The weather was perfect, boat awesome, good food lotsa…. lotsa drinks. Bought the drink package so you just like drink and eat whatever you want kinda thing.”

Ruthowsky told the jury that banter was an important part of grooming an informant, gaining their friendship and ensuring their cooperation over the long term.

He says he didn’t divulge any state secrets during that call, on the contrary, his informants were feeding him valuable information even while he was on suspension. It helped him solve crimes during that time and get official recognition.

“There’s nothing like getting a commendation when you’re on suspension,” the officer told the jury. “I was angry I was on suspension.”

“There was a small vein of anger that propelled me forward.” Ruthowsky says he kept talking to his informants because wanted to prove to his superior officers that he was an excellent police officer. “I should never have been suspended,” he said.

Court ended early today as the lawyers work through some arguments. Ruthowsky is still giving evidence through his lawyer and now this trial is behind. The judge originally told the jury they could expect to be here four to five weeks, at the end of week four he told them now to expect to be here for six weeks at least.