North Bay police officer Stephen Taylor faces impaired driving charges

A North Bay police constable has been slapped with impaired driving charges — and this is not the first time he's run into trouble with the law.

Constable Stephen Taylor was arrested this month by officers in his own police service.

Marie Lugli, who speaks for North Bay police, confirmed the charges are impaired driving and driving with more than 80 millilitres of alcohol in his system. She said he could also face conduct charges under the Police Services Act.

In 2011, Taylor was nabbed for failing to provide a breath sample.

After a $17,000 dock in pay, a fine, a one-year driving ban, and pleading guilty to discreditable conduct with a demotion, Taylor was again charged by OPP in 2014 with failing to provide a breath sample, after his vehicle appeared to be weaving.

In that instance, he was charged with discreditable conduct by police — a matter as yet unresolved.

The latest charges of impaired driving are also pending. 

Taylor had been on desk duty, but Lugli said he is now suspended with pay.

That's an issue that rubs several police chiefs in Ontario the wrong way. 

One in Waterloo has asked for changes to that law that guarantees a steady pay cheque to officers who have been suspended from duty, a rule he calls "simply unfair."