A class of new police recruits at Toronto Police College where they are told the perils of drinking and driving.
An officer based at 22 Division in South Etobicoke has been demoted for driving his personal vehicle while under the influence of alcohol through a crash scene almost injuring a traffic cop.
Kirk Ramphal, a six-year Toronto Police veteran, was demoted from the rank of First Class Constable to Second Class Constable for 15-months and will have to attend a 60-day police Wellness Unit program. His licence was also suspended for 12-months.
According to an agreed statement of facts, Ramphal, joined 22 Division when he was 30 years old, was off duty and driving his personal vehicle in the Evans and Kipling Avenues area at 5 a.m. on September 2, 2023.
One Traffic officer was almost injured after the demoted officer ran a police blockade in the Evans and Kipling Avenues.
At that time, two Toronto police cruisers in the area were blocking off a section of Kipling Avenue, south of Evans Avenue, as officers investigated a deadly car crash. The tribunal said two cruisers had their emergency lights on to prevent motorists from entering the area.
Ramphal missed the blockade and continued to drive towards the crash scene, according to the panel. The officers blocking the road had to activate their “full emergency equipment” to warn the investigators at the site of the collision of the incoming fast-moving vehicle.
“… his vehicle stopped just at the feet of one of the investigating officers,” the decision read.
The 22 Division officer was demoted, had his licence suspended and have to take a rehab program.
Police detected a “strong” odour of alcohol on his breath and found that his eyes were bloodshot.
“The misconduct of PC Ramphal was serious and the circumstances surrounding his actions warrant a serious penalty,” according to the hearing.
The tribunal heard the officer was arrested for impaired driving after a collision. He had high alcohol readings in his system and pleaded guilty to one count of discreditable conduct, for being found guilty of an indictable or a summary conviction offence.
He received a $2,250 fine, a one-year driving prohibition, and he was given a penalty of a reduction of police rank for 15 months.
The tribunal was told Ramphal came to enjoy 22 division and enjoyed the work, the residents and that there was a good mix and balance of different types of police work.
Rampal apologized to the panel and said that he had gone out drinking with some friends and was on his way to pick up some fast food before going home.
The tribunal said he has an unblemished work history and received an award for saving a woman who had fallen down an embankment. He had also received a letter of appreciation from a community member for his professionalism locating an elderly male and he was commended for his role in a violent Hold Up Squad robbery.