DRUG COP OUT OF CUSTODY

After nearly four weeks of staring out of a jail cell, a Thunder Bay
police officer will be spending the foreseeable future in the comfort
of his own home.

At a Superior Court hearing Wednesday, Justice Robert Zelinski
overturned a detention order and released Peter Williamson from custody.

"He and his family are very relieved that the Superior Court justice
agreed that his continuing custody, preceding his trial, was not
necessary," Williamson's lawyer David Bruzzese said in an interview.

Williamson, 39, has been in custody since his arrest May 13.

The 13-year police veteran is employed by the OPP and was assigned to
the regional tri-force drug unit.

Following a lengthy investigation, he was charged with breach of
trust in connection with his duties as a police officer; extortion to
obtain cocaine; and counselling to traffic in cocaine.

On May 18, justice of the peace John Guthrie ordered Williamson held
in custody. On Monday, Bruzzese asked Zelinski to vacate that order.

Zelinski delivered his decision Wednesday morning.

A court order prohibits the publication of any information that
arises from the proceeding or Zelinski's reasons for decision.

During the hearing, Williamson sat in the prisoner's box with his
head bowed. He was dressed in a dark suit, blue shirt and checkered
tie. His hair had recently been cut.

He had been escorted to court by three members of the city force's
emergency tactical unit, rather than regular court security
personnel. Williamson was released after his father agreed to put up
a $10,000 bond.

As part of the release order, Williamson must report weekly to the
OPP Thunder Bay detachment, avoid all contact with fellow drug unit
officers as well as certain people involved in the alleged incidents,
and abstain from possession of non-medically prescribed drugs.

He's required to be in his home between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., with some
exceptions.

Williamson is to return to Ontario Court on June 16 to speak to the charges.