Ottawa cop in St. Patrick's Day hit and run handed 22-month demotion
Const. Cory Chuchryk pleaded guilty to impaired driving, discreditable conduct
An Ottawa police officer who drove drunk before smashing his unmarked cruiser into the back of a pickup truck last St. Patrick's Day has been demoted in rank for 22 months, according to the decision reached in his police disciplinary hearing.
Around 9 p.m. on March 17, 2024, Const. Cory Chuchryk and another officer were observed travelling southbound on Woodroffe Avenue "at a high rate of speed" when their covert police vehicle crashed into the back of a Ford F-150 waiting to turn left onto Grenfell Crescent, north of Fallowfield Road.
According to the decision released on Dec. 30, both officers were off duty at the time and both had consumed alcohol at a Royal Oak pub during the day.
When the truck's two occupants approached Chuchryk's vehicle, they observed both officers exhibiting clear signs of impairment including "glassy eyes, unsteadiness, and a strong smell of alcohol emanating from the vehicle."
Chuchryk exited the police car "reluctantly," and when he did he was seen "slurring his speech, struggling to maintain focus while speaking, and exhibiting body and facial expressions consistent with someone who was impaired."
Contrary to Ottawa Police Service (OPS) policy, Chuchryk did not ask the pickup's occupants if they were hurt, nor did he call 911. He provided his first name and address, according to the decision.
While the driver of the pickup called 911, the passenger engaged in a "terse exchange" with the officers. Chuchryk then got back into his vehicle and drove away, leaving the collision scene before police had time to arrive.
He drove home and parked the heavily damaged cruiser in his garage.
Police car totalled
When the investigating officer arrived at Chuchryk's home, he spotted the sedan through a garage window, but Chuchryk didn't answer the door when he knocked.
The officer returned later to verify the car's licence plate number and noticed "significant damage to the sedan consistent with the particulars of the collision." (The vehicle, which sustained an estimated $10,000 in damage, was later deemed a total loss.)
Suspecting an OPS colleague had been involved in a hit-and-run collision, the investigating officer notified a supervisor.
According to the disciplinary decision, Chuchryk made no attempt that evening or the following morning to report the incident. On April 4, he was arrested and charged criminally with driving while impaired, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, failure to stop after an accident, failure to report an accident and failure to remain at the scene of an accident.
On June 11, he pleaded guilty to the first charge, while the others were withdrawn. He was handed 12 months' probation and a 12-month driving ban, plus a $5,000 fine.
He was also ordered to pay $280 to the owner of the pickup and an additional $5,000 to the OPS.
At his subsequent police disciplinary hearing on Nov. 13, Chuchryk also pleaded guilty to two counts of discreditable conduct, and one count each of insubordination and "damage to clothing or equipment."
'Extremely lucky' no one hurt
According to Supt. Chris Rheaume, who presided over the disciplinary hearing, Chuchryk's actions "rightfully fall within the classification of serious misconduct … and should be dealt with appropriately."
"Given the circumstances described in the agreed statement of facts, [Const.] Chuchryk is extremely lucky to have not hurt either himself or a member of the public," Rheaume wrote in his decision, adding the officer's actions had undoubtedly "strained the reputation of the Ottawa Police Service."
However, Rheaume also noted that throughout both his criminal trial and the disciplinary process, Chuchryk "consistently maintained that he wanted to make amends for his actions and take full responsibility."
Rheaume also considered Chuchryk's 14 years of "dedicated, professional police service" with the OPS as a mitigating factor in his decision.
"In this specific case, I believe that deterrence has been met," Rheaume wrote before ordering that Chuchryk be demoted from first-class constable to second-class for 22 months.
He will then be returned to the rank of first-class constable "on the basis of satisfactory work performance to be determined by the Service."