Cop investigated for street racing

Source:Sudbury Star

OTTAWA - An Ottawa police officer with a history of misconduct was under investigation for street racing after he totalled his BMW in a crash in May 2008, a police tribunal heard Tuesday.

Const. Umer Khan pleaded not guilty to discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act. The force alleges he was driving carelessly in the 2008 crash.


Khan had left a Manotick party with two other officers and was driving north on Riverside Dr. at around midnight on May 31, 2008, when he lost control and struck a lamppost. The post was found 87 metres away and the vehicle was "demolished," Sgt. Guy Thivierge testified.

Thivierge led the investigation and said an officer informed him another vehicle was involved. He was also told there were reports of street racing.

According to Thivierge's testimony, one of Khan's passengers was Const. Jacky Lord, who began yelling at Thivierge at the scene when he said Khan, Lord and other witnesses should not be talking and ordered them to separate.

Lord said Khan knew him and he didn't appreciate being treated like a criminal, according to Thivierge.

"Don't make this worse than it needs to be," Thivierge replied.

Khan was calm, Thivierge said.

Thivierge testified that Khan said he had been driving 90 km/h, 30 km/h above the limit. He also said he had balding tires. Thivierge testified the roads were wet.

Thivierge told the hearing that Khan said he hadn't been drinking and couldn't provide information on the other car even though it was being driven by a friend of his.

Thivierge said he told Khan he could be charged with dangerous driving, careless driving or street racing. Khan was charged with careless driving and later pleaded guilty to driving 29 km/h over the limit and having balding tires.

The defence and prosecution will make final submissions Wednesday at police headquarters on Elgin St.

Khan has appeared at multiple police hearings since 2006. One case ended in an acquittal. A dangerous offender also put a gun to Khan's head and pulled the trigger in May 2005. The Colt .38's chamber was empty.

kenneth.jackson@sunmedia.ca

Article ID# 2475120