Former OPP commissioner says impaired charges against Windsor officer could shake community trust

A Windsor police cruiser seen in Windsor, Ont. on Dec. 14, 2024. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor)

A Windsor police officer is facing impaired driving charges after officers say they found him passed out behind the wheel – the type of allegation public safety experts say can affect community trust.

Police say it was around 4 a.m. on Saturday when officers came across a vehicle stopped at Jefferson Boulevard and Tecumseh Road East.

The driver was allegedly asleep behind the wheel.

And according to a Windsor Police Service media release, that driver was off-duty Const. Sean Rhoads.

The service says that when officers woke Rhoads up, he sped off.

They didn’t chase — citing public safety — but found the vehicle a short distance away, where the driver was reportedly asleep behind the wheel once again.

Police say he was arrested without incident.

Rhoads is charged with impaired operation, operating a vehicle with over 80 mg of alcohol in the blood and fleeing from police.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

He’s been suspended without pay.

CTV News has learned a charge of failing to provide a breath sample laid against Rhoads in 2024 was withdrawn by the court.

The Ontario Court of Justice does not provide reasons for why charges are withdrawn.

A spokesperson for the Windsor Police Service said they would not comment on internal discipline, if there were any in the past.

Lewis: “A sad occasion”

CTV News Public Safety Analyst Chris Lewis — who served as OPP commissioner from 2010 to 2014 — says officers feel these cases deeply.

“It’s a sad occasion,” he said.

Lewis says trust takes years to build, and a single moment like this can break it.

“People won’t remember the 12 lives that were saved in the last year or whatever great successes the police had. They’ll remember an officer got charged impaired driving.”

He also spoke about what it’s like for officers who end up charging one of their own.

“The people that dislike officers who break the law the most are fellow officers. They don’t want to have to do this,” Lewis said.

MADD: “Very disappointed”

MADD Windsor & Essex County says the news is upsetting — especially given how closely the organization works with local police.

“Impaired driving is dangerous and completely preventable, and everyone has a responsibility to make safe choices on the road,” said community leader Chaouki Hamka.

He says officers see the devastation of impaired driving more than anyone.

“They’re the ones who make those heartbreaking late-night notifications or respond to crash scenes and see the impact up close.”

Hamka said that although the situation is disappointing, the group appreciates the work Windsor officers do every day to keep impaired drivers off the road.

“This incident is a reminder that impaired driving has serious consequences for anyone, no matter their role or profession.”

Suspension with pay is standard

Under the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA), officers suspected of misconduct — including those charged criminally — are typically suspended with pay.

The Police Association of Ontario says that’s part of ensuring due process.

“The suspension-with-pay process ensures fairness, preserves the presumption of innocence and upholds due process for officers facing criminal charges,” said PAO president Mark Baxter.

Suspension without pay is reserved for more serious situations, according to the CSPA, such as when an officer is in custody, has restrictive bail conditions or when the chief is seeking termination in connection with a “serious offence.”

While suspended, officers cannot exercise police powers or perform police duties.

There is no time limit on how long a suspension may last — it can continue until both criminal and disciplinary proceedings are resolved.

The Act also allows the chief to lift or re-impose a suspension at any time, though doing so before a criminal case concludes is considered uncommon in practice.

Lewis adds that an officer who is found guilty of a criminal offense in court is automatically charged with discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act.

Such a charge could result in a range of penalties – including being fired.