Hamilton police officer sentenced to 5 years

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The Hamilton police officer found guilty of multiple offenses including perjury and obstruction of justice has been sentenced to 5 years behind bars. Detective Constable Robert Hansen left John Sopinka Courthouse in custody today and will be placed in protective custody inside a jail cell.

The 41 year old has been suspended with pay since November 2012, that’s when a string of text messages revealed that Hansen encouraged an informant to plant a loaded gun at a known drug dealer’s house in order to obtain a search warrant, the gun was never found. Hansen, who was a member of the gangs and weapons enforcement unit, a 12 year veteran, was found guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice.

The maximum jail sentence for perjury is 14 years. The crown pushed for 6 and argued that this case is without precedent in Canada. The judge sentenced Hansen to 5 years in jail saying “the sentence must provide a message to potential offenders in similar circumstances.”

She highlighted the fact that police officers have a duty, responsibility and power that ordinary citizens do not. They are expected to uphold the law. Defence attorney Bernard Cummins says the case is far from over and that they will appeal.

Hansen has been suspended with pay for nearly 4 years. Last year earning $103 000 making the Sunshine list. But now that Hansen has been convicted and sentenced, Police Chief Eric Girt has the ability to revoke payment even if the case is under an appeal and according to a police statement the chief has made that decision. Effective immediately Hansen is suspended without pay.