A long-serving member of the Toronto Police Service, who has dedicated 30 years to the force, is currently facing charges of impaired driving. The officer, identified as Inspector Michael Hayles, 51, was arrested in the early hours of Sunday after police received a report of a person asleep behind the wheel of a stationary vehicle near Laird Drive and Eglinton Avenue.
Despite being off duty at the time of the incident, Hayles was charged with impaired operation of a conveyance and exceeding the legal blood alcohol concentration limit. Following the arrest, he has been suspended with pay as per the regulations outlined in the Community Safety and Policing Act, confirmed police spokesperson Nadine Ramadan.
The Toronto Police Association (TPA) addressed the situation, stating that Hayles, being a member of the Senior Officers Organization, would not receive any specific comments from the association. TPA President Clayton Campbell emphasized that the decision to take legal action against a colleague, especially one of higher rank, is never easy. However, the association emphasized that holding all members accountable, regardless of rank, is crucial to upholding professionalism within the force.
The incident, while unfortunate, serves as a reminder to the public of the commitment of law enforcement officers to uphold the law and maintain accountability within their ranks.
