POLICE CHARGE ONE OF THEIR OWN WITH DEALING DRUGS

Five-Year Member of VPD Also Accused of Illegal Use of Police Database

Vancouver police department Constable Peter Hodson was fired and
arrested Wednesday after being charged with drug trafficking, breach
of trust and break and enter with the intent to commit extortion.

The 31-year-old officer is also accused of the illegal use of a
police database.

Police Chief Jim Chu described the case as "highly disturbing and
disgraceful" during a press conference and said the "rogue officer"
was surprised when he was arrested at the department's Cambie Street
headquarters.

Hodson has been charged with one count of trafficking marijuana, two
counts of breach of trust in relation to selling drugs and the
illegal use of a police database, as well as break and enter with the
intent to commit extortion.

Oscar Lapitan was charged jointly with Hodson for trafficking. Police
did not identify the nature of their relationship.

Hodson had been the subject of an extensive, covert investigation
since allegations surfaced within the VPD during the Olympic period
that he was dealing marijuana while on and off duty.

Realizing that the case "would alarm the public and the department,"
said Chu, the VPD "put many more resources into this investigation
than we ever would for the average street dope dealer."

The VPD wanted to determine quickly whether the allegations were true
and whether the "rot was confined to this one officer," added the chief.

A secret, off-site office was set up for the probe, which over the
course of the investigation involved up to 30 police officers,
including members of the RCMP.

"This joint investigation revealed no evidence that this was anything
more than the actions of a single rogue officer," said Chu.

This is not the first time Hodson, who had been with the VPD fewer
than five years and drove a patrol car in east Vancouver, has angered
his superiors.

Hodson was charged in 2008 with driving while impaired off-duty and
driving with a blood-alcohol level exceeding the legal limit.

Hodson was pulled over after another off-duty officer saw a car
weaving along the road and called 911. Those charges are still before
the courts.

Chu alleged that the "bad apple" was selling "street-level"
quantities of pot, which typically involves two pounds or less. The
offences allegedly occurred between December 4, 2009 and April 20, 2010.

"I want to reassure the public that the integrity of the VPD, while
shaken by this abhorrent incident, has not been broken," said Chu.
"The members who became aware of Hodson's conduct saw his actions as
deplorable and it strengthened their resolve to gather evidence to
support criminal charges and to rid the VPD of his presence."

Chu said that the case against Hodson developed by the VPD and Crown
counsel involves both police and non-police witnesses.

Hodson is to make his first court appearance today.