On-Duty OPP Officer Charged With Impaired Driving

[Michael Jack]

An Ontario provincial constable with 17 years of service is facing criminal impaired driving charges while on duty.

Provincial police say their Southern Georgian Bay detachment officers launched an impaired operation investigation on Jan. 15.

Police say the investigation involved one of the officers at the detachment.

They say a 39-year-old constable was arrested and charged with operation while impaired with alcohol and operation while impaired with blood alcohol concentration above the legal threshold for impaired driving.

They say the officer is scheduled to appear before the Ontario court of justice in Midland on Feb. 26.

Police say the officer has been suspended with pay and the OPP Professional Standards Unit is conducting an internal investigation.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2026.

The Canadian Press

https://www.newmarkettoday.ca/ontario-n ... g-11756620

[Michael Jack]

A veteran Ontario provincial police officer has been arrested and charged with impaired driving while on the job.

Chris Prout, 39, a Southern Georgian Bay OPP constable, who first joined Midland Police Service in 2009 before transferring over to the provincial police, has now been suspended with pay accused of impaired driving during a shift Thursday January 15. He is also charged with having a blood alcohol level above the legal limit.

Police confirmed the charges in a media release Sunday, saying a parallel investigation by the OPP Professional Standards Unit is underway.

In a statement, the OPP said it “remains committed to maintaining public trust and confidence, and ensuring its members are held to the “highest standards of professionalism and accountability.”

The OPP did not provide further on-camera comment on the case including what prompted the impaired driving investigation into the constable. Police said, however, that no collision occurred.

Those who know Prout describe him as a hardworking officer. The accused is scheduled to make his first appearance in a virtual courtroom in late February. The allegations against him have not been tested in court.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/barrie/article/o ... -with-pay/

[Michael Jack]

An Ontario provincial police officer, suspended with pay, after being charged with impaired driving while on the job last month, made his first appearance in a Midland courtroom Thursday.

Chris Prout, 40, addressed the court appearing by video. Prout told the court he plans to enter a treatment program and expects to have defence counsel appear on his behalf for his next scheduled appearance in March.

The veteran Southern Georgian Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) constable, who first joined Midland Police Service in 2009 before transferring over to the provincial police, is accused of impaired driving during a shift January 15, according to the OPP. He is also charged with having a blood alcohol level above the legal limit.

Police confirmed the charges in a media release three days later, saying a parallel investigation by the OPP Professional Standards Unit is underway.

In a statement, the OPP said it “remains committed to maintaining public trust and confidence, and ensuring its members are held to the “highest standards of professionalism and accountability.”

Police did not offer further comment, but confirmed no collision occurred in the moments surrounding the officer’s arrest.

The allegations against the accused have not been tested in court.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/barrie/article/o ... ppearance/