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
On-duty OPP officer driving drunk 3x legal limit pleads guilty, fined $3,000
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On-duty Ontario Provincial Police officer charged with impaired driving
Michael Jack, Administrator
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Michael Jack
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On-duty OPP officer charged with impaired driving suspended with pay
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/
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, Administrator
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Michael Jack
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On-duty OPP officer charged with impaired driving makes first court appearance
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/
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/
Michael Jack, Administrator
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Michael Jack
- Site Admin
- Posts: 3157
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On-duty OPP officer driving drunk 3x legal limit pleads guilty, fined $3,000
A veteran provincial police officer charged with driving drunk on the job earlier this year in Midland, Ont., has taken a plea deal.
Suspended with pay since January, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer Christopher Prout has pleaded guilty to driving with more than three times the legal limit of alcohol in his system while on duty in a police cruiser with a gun on his hip.
The court heard, as part of an Agreed Statement of Facts read by the Crown, Prout had been drinking at home and drove to work in his police cruiser for a performance review at the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment, when officers in the meeting room smelled alcohol on him.
Prout failed a breath test and provided two samples that produced readings of nearly 260 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood.
The defence noted Prout did not show signs of impairment, saying he was shocked by the readings, and that he felt “essentially sober” that day.
His lawyer told the court Prout, 40, who has been a police officer in Midland for 17 years, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance-use disorder.
According to the defence, his PTSD was the result of years of dedicated service while experiencing trauma as a police officer.
The defence noted Prout hit “rock bottom” while dealing with mental health struggles and a family history of alcoholism as issues in his personal life affected his performance at work.
The defence said Prout had not sought help for his issues before being charged Jan. 15 and has since taken accountability through counselling and two months at the Homewood medically supervised addiction treatment centre as he continues to receive outpatient care and counselling while maintaining his sobriety.
Prout addressed the court, saying he was embarrassed and that he hurt his platoon and hates and regrets what he did.
He vowed “it will never happen again.”
“Alcohol is not an issue anymore,” Prout told the court, adding he is working hard to move forward.
Following a joint submission by the defence and a Crown attorney brought in from Newmarket to handle the case, the judge handed Prout a $3,000 fine and two-year driving ban.
Justice Edward Prutschi told Prout it was sheer dumb luck and divine intervention that his actions didn’t result in a crash that killed himself or others out on the road.
The OPP did not provide a response to Prout’s guilty plea.
Along with being placed on probation for two years, Prout could now face further discipline under the Police Services Act.
https://www.cp24.com/news/canada/2026/0 ... ined-3000/
https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/barr ... ined-3000/
Suspended with pay since January, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer Christopher Prout has pleaded guilty to driving with more than three times the legal limit of alcohol in his system while on duty in a police cruiser with a gun on his hip.
The court heard, as part of an Agreed Statement of Facts read by the Crown, Prout had been drinking at home and drove to work in his police cruiser for a performance review at the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment, when officers in the meeting room smelled alcohol on him.
Prout failed a breath test and provided two samples that produced readings of nearly 260 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood.
The defence noted Prout did not show signs of impairment, saying he was shocked by the readings, and that he felt “essentially sober” that day.
His lawyer told the court Prout, 40, who has been a police officer in Midland for 17 years, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance-use disorder.
According to the defence, his PTSD was the result of years of dedicated service while experiencing trauma as a police officer.
The defence noted Prout hit “rock bottom” while dealing with mental health struggles and a family history of alcoholism as issues in his personal life affected his performance at work.
The defence said Prout had not sought help for his issues before being charged Jan. 15 and has since taken accountability through counselling and two months at the Homewood medically supervised addiction treatment centre as he continues to receive outpatient care and counselling while maintaining his sobriety.
Prout addressed the court, saying he was embarrassed and that he hurt his platoon and hates and regrets what he did.
He vowed “it will never happen again.”
“Alcohol is not an issue anymore,” Prout told the court, adding he is working hard to move forward.
Following a joint submission by the defence and a Crown attorney brought in from Newmarket to handle the case, the judge handed Prout a $3,000 fine and two-year driving ban.
Justice Edward Prutschi told Prout it was sheer dumb luck and divine intervention that his actions didn’t result in a crash that killed himself or others out on the road.
The OPP did not provide a response to Prout’s guilty plea.
Along with being placed on probation for two years, Prout could now face further discipline under the Police Services Act.
https://www.cp24.com/news/canada/2026/0 ... ined-3000/
https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/barr ... ined-3000/
Michael Jack, Administrator
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Michael Jack
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OPP Officer DUI in Midland: Legal Implications for Ontarians
In a serious breach of trust, Constable Christopher Prout of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has pleaded guilty to driving with a blood alcohol level over three times the legal limit while on duty. The incident occurred earlier this year in Midland, Ontario, when Prout drove to the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment for a performance review. Colleagues detected alcohol on his breath during the meeting. Subsequent breath tests revealed alcohol readings of nearly 260 mg per 100 ml of blood.
Despite not appearing visibly impaired, Prout admitted to the charges and was fined $3,000, receiving a two-year driving ban. His actions, compounded by a history of PTSD and substance-use issues, have sparked discussions on law enforcement accountability and mental health support within the force. UL Lawyers Legal Team can help you understand the legal ramifications of cases like this.
Key Takeaways
OPP officer in Midland pleads guilty to DUI while on duty
Officer fined $3,000 and banned from driving for two years
Case highlights issues of accountability and mental health in policing
https://www.ullaw.ca/news/opp-officer-d ... ty-midland
Despite not appearing visibly impaired, Prout admitted to the charges and was fined $3,000, receiving a two-year driving ban. His actions, compounded by a history of PTSD and substance-use issues, have sparked discussions on law enforcement accountability and mental health support within the force. UL Lawyers Legal Team can help you understand the legal ramifications of cases like this.
Key Takeaways
OPP officer in Midland pleads guilty to DUI while on duty
Officer fined $3,000 and banned from driving for two years
Case highlights issues of accountability and mental health in policing
https://www.ullaw.ca/news/opp-officer-d ... ty-midland
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