OPP officer faces assault and firearms charges

These are violations by the Ontario Provincial Police officers dealing with the Criminal Code of Canada, Controlled Substance and Abuse Act, Customs and Excise Act, etc.

OPP officer faces assault and firearms charges

Postby Thomas » Mon Sep 17, 2012 5:58 am

Oxford County OPP officer faces assault and firearms charges

WOODSTOCK - A 10-year veteran of the Oxford OPP is facing nine serious charges, including assault, mischief to property and several firearms violations.

According to Oxford County court documents, Timothy Healey, a Tillsonburg resident and police constable, was charged in by a fellow officer with violations of the Criminal Code of Canada that included an assault on an Oxford County woman.

The firearms and mischief charges were laid as a result of incidents that occurred in Tillsonburg “on or about” March 22, 2012.

The assault charge results from an incident on March 21, 2012.

“From our perspective, incidents such as this – we take the actions of our officers very seriously,” said Sgt. David Rektor, the media relations officer for the Western Region OPP.

While there is no publication ban in place, the Sentinel-Review is not releasing the name of the complainant in order to protect her identity.

The charges also include one count of mischief where Healey is accused of the “obstruction, interrupting or interfering with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property” by disconnecting the hydro, water and telephone.

Healey faces a charge of possessing an unlicensed restricted firearm with readily accessible ammunition “capable of being discharged” in the firearm.

He has also been charged with two counts of possessing a firearm without being a holder of a licence, possessing cartridge magazines without a licence and two counts of storing firearms without rendering them inoperable with a secure locking device.

“I can’t comment on the specific charges because they are before the court,” Rektor said. “He will have to answer to those charges and let the cards fall where they may.”

Rektor was also unable to comment on Healey’s current employment status with the Oxford OPP.

“I can’t answer that,” he said when asked if Healey has been suspended by the OPP. “It would breach his personal employee information … but he’s not actively engaged in patrol at the present time.”

In 2011, Healey was found guilty of discreditable conduct during an Ontario Police Discipline Hearing under the auspices of the OPP’s internal Professional Standards Bureau.

“(The Professional Standards Bureau) is to make sure our members are held to high account,” Rektor said. “We have to – every officer has to. When you sign on the dotted line as an officer, you accept that responsibility.

“You have to uphold the laws you enforce.”

Healey pleaded guilty to the allegation of misconduct on April 18, 2011.

According to the report, Healey was concerned about a man his ex-wife was dating after he learned of a conflict between the two that his children had witnessed.

In 2010, Healey checked the police databanks three times for information on his ex-wife’s boyfriend, where he discovered flags for domestic and firearms offences. As a result of his actions, Healey was penalized with the loss of 30 hours pay.

The report also said Healey had “a positive employment record” and noted he had “no prior history of discipline.”

In 2006, Healey was one of four OPP officers awarded the Commissioner’s Citation for Lifesaving as the result of an incident in Tillsonburg in June 2005.

Healey responded to a call at an industrial building and arrived on the scene to find three teenagers at the top of a tower on a platform with a narrow railing several metres in the air. One teenager was outside the safety railing on the platform dangling in the air with another teen trying to hold her back. When Healey realized he was dealing with emotionally distraught individuals attempting to harm themselves, he radioed for back-up.

Healey talked to the individuals while other officer went to the back and climbed the ladder, rescuing the teens.

Healey first appeared in court on the latest charges on April 10 and was last in court on June 5. He will appear in court again on June 26.

http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2012/0 ... ms-charges
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Re: OPP officer faces assault and firearms charges

Postby Thomas » Mon Jan 13, 2014 4:11 pm

Trial postponed for OPP officer

WOODSTOCK — A trial for an OPP officer who is accused of breaching his bail conditions after facing assault, mischief and firearms charges has been rescheduled for December 19.

Timothy Healey, a Tillsonburg resident and police constable, was originally scheduled for a three-hour trial on Nov. 7.

According to court records, that trial was designed to deal with an April charge that alleged Healey failed to comply with a condition of his bail that prevented him from communicating directly or indirectly with the complainant in the case and two other people.

The 10-year veteran of the force faces charges of assault, possessing an unlicensed restricted firearm, two counts of possessing a firearm without being a holder of a licence, possessing cartridge magazines without a licence and two counts of storing firearms without rendering them inoperable with a secure locking device.

The assault charge results from an incident on March 21, 2012.

The charges also include one count of mischief where Healey is accused of the "obstruction, interrupting or interfering with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property" by disconnecting hydro, water and telephone.

Healey will be back in court for those charges on November 13.

In 2011, Healey was found guilty of discreditable conduct during an Ontario Police Discipline Hearing under the auspices of the OPP's internal Professional Standards Bureau.

In 2006, Healey was one of four OPP officers awarded the Commissioner's Citation for Lifesaving as the result of an incident in Tillsonburg in June 2005.

http://www.tillsonburgnews.com/2012/11/ ... pp-officer
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Re: OPP officer faces assault and firearms charges

Postby Thomas » Mon Jan 13, 2014 4:12 pm

Tillsonburg OPP officer back in court Feb. 3

WOODSTOCK - A Tillsonburg OPP officer currently on trial for several firearms charges will be back in court on February 3.

A trial continuation had been scheduled for January 13 for Timothy Healey, but acting Crown attorney John Handbidge told the court Monday that both crown counsel and Timothy Healey’s defence council were continuing to undergo discussions that could lead to a resolution.

In October, a provincial court judge ruled that evidence argued during a voir dire would be admissible in the case. The trial within a trial, held last June, centred on whether or not illegal weapons, ammunition and magazines discovered in Healey's possession were unlawfully seized by fellow OPP officers on March 22, 2012.

In the 72-page decision released Sept. 30, Graham wrote that, despite the fact that Healey faced "a significant violation of his privacy interest" under Section 8 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, "the firearms seized amount to reliable real evidence and are essential to the Crown's case."

The seizure of three unlicensed weapons from his home resulted from what police said was verbal consent from Healey to retrieve 34 licensed weapons, following an assault charge laid the previous evening. The assault charge was later withdrawn. Healey later handed over two illegal handguns that had also been illegally stored.

Healey, who had been off work on long-term disability, has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

http://www.tillsonburgnews.com/2014/01/ ... ourt-feb-3
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Re: OPP officer faces assault and firearms charges

Postby Thomas » Mon Feb 03, 2014 4:37 pm

Sentencing to take place on February 10

WOODSTOCK - Oxford OPP Const. Timothy Healey pleaded guilty to five weapons-related charges Monday morning but will not be sentenced for another week.

The plea came four months after a provincial court judge ruled that evidence argued during a voir dire would be admissible in the case.

This trial within a trial, held last June, centred on whether or not illegal weapons, ammunition and magazines discovered in Healey's possession were unlawfully seized by fellow OPP officers on March 22, 2012.

Healey, 46, pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing a firearm without a licence, possessing cartridge magazines without a licence and storing firearms without rendering them inoperable.

The seizure of unlicensed weapons from his home resulted from what police said was Healey’s verbal consent to retrieve 34 licensed weapons, following an assault charge laid the previous evening. The assault charge was later withdrawn.

Healey later handed over two handguns that had also been illegally stored.

Assistant Crown attorney David Foulds told the court Monday the charges were laid “as a result as domestic-type dispute.” At the time, Healey was on disability leave from the force. Fellow officers discovered properly stored firearms, but three “were not registered as they should have.”

Healey agreed to voluntarily transfer the weapons in his possession as his bail conditions forbade firearms.

Police returned to Healey’s Tillsonburg home later that day, where they discovered two unlicensed handguns stored in his attic, alongside ammunition. Healey claimed the handguns had been given to him years ago, and he had not yet transferred registration.

While Foulds said he recognized the guilty plea, he asked the court for a suspended sentence with a year of probation.

Foulds pointed out Healey, as a police officer, had special responsibilities.

“He had a licence that allowed him to do everything with firearms,” he said. “It’s difficult for a layperson to understand how a man bearing responsibilities such as he did … would find himself before the court for any offence that would include a firearm.”

Fould’s pointed out Healey’s guilty plea meant he will face action under the Police Service’s Act, which will include consequences but not termination or dismissal.

Meanwhile, Healey’s lawyer, Leo Kinahan, argued his client should be granted an absolute or conditional discharge.

He pointed out that Justice Matthew Graham did find Healey’s rights had been violated, even though he ruled the evidence was admissible in court.

Submitted character reference letters, he said, described the “compassion and the sense of community” Healey had.

Kinahan also pointed out his client told police about the two handguns and willingly handed them over.

Since the charges were laid, Healey has lost his collection of firearms, which was worth about $75,000, and will likely face a penalty of $10,000 under the Police Services Act.

Due to the charges, Healey has been assigned to administrative duty.

“In an otherwise unblemished life, he has made a mistake,” he said. “He’s paid a dear, dear price on this.”

Kinahan also argued a criminal record might in the future affect his credibility.

His client has also had to deal with legal bills, lost wages and was subject to “intense media coverage” that allowed “everyone to know about it.”

“I don’t really know why,” Kinahan said. “Even on days it’s to be spoken to, it’s in the paper.”

http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/ ... ebruary-10
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Re: OPP officer faces assault and firearms charges

Postby Thomas » Mon Feb 10, 2014 1:55 pm

OPP officer who pleaded guilty to weapons-related charges receives a conditional discharge

WOODSTOCK - An OPP officer who pleaded guilty to five weapons-related charges a week ago received a conditional discharge with one-year probation and will have to pay a hefty victim fine surcharge of $3,000.

Const. Timothy Healey, 46, pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing a firearm without a licence, possessing cartridge magazines without a licence and storing firearms without rendering them inoperable.

The conditional discharge he received Monday morning means while a finding of guilt is made, no conviction is registered and Healey can claim he has no criminal record moving into the future.

“We’re happy with the sentence; the sentence is fair,” said defence counsel Leo Kinahan after the sentencing. “He just wants to get on with his career; get on with his life.”

Kinahan had argued for an absolute discharge, while assistant Crown attorney David Foulds had argued for a suspended sentence with probation.

While Foulds acknowledged he was disappointed with sentence he said Justice Matthew Graham “very thoughtfully concluded this accused should have the benefit of discharge provisions of the criminal code.”

“It won’t be subject of an appeal,” he said.

Healey was arrested on March 21, 2012 for a domestic-related incident at his residence and transferred to Tillsonburg detachment of the OPP.

While the domestic charges were later dropped, in his home police found three unregistered firearms inside a storage locker. He also turned over two handguns he kept in a box in his attic.

Foulds pointed out Healey, as a police officer and bearer of an exclusive firearms weapons, had breached firearms laws he had sworn to uphold.

During sentencing Graham said he agreed with Foulds that the “aggravating factors were significant.”

“He had specialized training and experience and inexplicably fell short of meeting what he knew to be the applicable standards,” he said.

However, although the firearms in basement were not registered, he said they were securely stored. And while the handguns were not properly stored, Healey voluntarily handed them over.

But he noted the firearms offences were not remotely related to the domestic violence incidence or any gun violence.

“Gun safety is clearly very important, but the offences of careless storage and ammunition are far less serious than violent crimes involving guns,” he said.

Graham also noted Healey had turned over his gun collection worth about $75,000 and will likely face a significant fine under the Police Services Act.

“Although the registering of a conviction would not terminate his employment, it would likely to pose a barrier to future career advancement,” Graham said. “It is not contrary to the public interest that he be given every opportunity to continue to earn a livelihood in his chosen profession.”

Graham also noted the police officer of 10 years had no criminal record and was “highly regarded by his colleagues and friends.”

“The offences appear to be out of character and occurred at a time of unusual pressure or stresses,” he said.

Graham also noted because of Healey’s position he was “arrested, finger printed and the particulars of this arrest and trial were published in the press in a way that would likely be uncommon for a non-public figure.”

He also concluded by the sentence the public will “know the police are not above that law, and subject to the same rules as other citizens.”

http://www.lfpress.com/2014/02/10/opp-o ... -discharge
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Re: OPP officer faces assault and firearms charges

Postby Thomas » Tue Feb 11, 2014 1:58 pm

OPP officer who pleaded guilty to weapons offences discharged

An Oxford County OPP officer who pleaded guilty to multiple weapons offences has received a conditional discharge.

Const. Timothy Healey will be on probation for one year and must pay a $3,000 fine.

Among the five charges he pleaded guilty to were three counts of possessing firearms without a license.

Due to the conditional nature of the discharge, Healey does not have a criminal record stemming from this incident.

http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/opp-officer ... -1.1680767
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Re: OPP officer faces assault and firearms charges

Postby Thomas » Tue Feb 11, 2014 3:38 pm

Cop avoids criminal record after pleading guilty to gun charges

WOODSTOCK, Ont. - An Ontario Provincial Police officer who pleaded guilty to five weapons charges got off with a conditional discharge and a year's probation.

Const. Timothy Healey, 46, pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing a firearm without a licence, possessing cartridge magazines without a licence and storing firearms without rendering them inoperable.

The conditional discharge will mean the 10-year police veteran will have no criminal record.

"He just wants to get on with his career; get on with his life," said defence counsel Leo Kinahan.

After answering to a domestic disturbance call at his southwestern Ontario home, police found three unregistered guns in a storage locker, and two handguns in a box the attic.

http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/ca ... 34356.html
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