FORMER OFFICER APOLOGIZES

A White Rock man who pleaded guilty to trafficking marijuana while on
duty as a Vancouver police officer apologized this week, as his
sentencing hearing concluded in Vancouver Provincial Court.

"I would like to offer my sincere apology to my wife and children, who
I have let down, and also to my family and friends," Peter Hodson said
Tuesday before a courtroom packed with more than 30 supporters.

"I offer a sincere and public apology to the VPD, specificially to my
partners on the squad. I'm sorry for my actions and take full
responsibility for them."

Hodson, 32, pleaded guilty to the trafficking charge - along with two
counts of breach of trust - last November, eight months after he was
arrested at Vancouver Police Department's Cambie Street
headquarters.

His arrest followed a two-month investigation into allegations that a
constable was selling street-level amounts of marijuana both on- and
off-duty.

Both Crown counsel Joe Bellows and Hodson's lawyer, Vincent Michaels,
wrapped up their submissions before Judge Gregory Rideout during the
day's proceedings.

While Michaels is seeking a conditional sentence for Hodson, Rideout
suggested the outcome is unlikely.

Rideout acknowledged Hodson's previously clean record, as well as the
"impressive" reference letters from family and friends, would be taken
into consideration in sentencing. He noted, however, the optics of a
VPD officer selling marijuana in the drug-riddled Downtown Eastside,
where police deal with addiction and mental-health issues on a daily
basis, were "disturbing."

"That is one of the troubling features that struck me from the
beginning," Rideout said. "I can't ignore the fact that, at some time,
he engaged in this activity while in uniform and armed."

Rideout said there are a "constellation of factors" to be weighed in
deciding if Hodson should face jail time, or be granted a conditional
sentence. The latter would be a more likely option had Hodson been a
civilian at the time of the offences, he said.

"One big, booming factor that says a (conditional sentence) does not
apply is the fact that he was a cop on duty," he said.

Earlier this month, Rideout heard testimony from Dr. Michael Elterman,
a psychologist hired by the defence to perform an evaluation of
Hodson's mental state.

Elterman concluded that Hodson exhibited narcissistic tendencies and
anti-social behaviour, and that he engaged in criminal activities as a
way of creating excitement for himself.

Tuesday, Bellows asked Rideout to place little weight on Elterman's
testimony, saying the doctor wasn't sufficiently qualified to provide
expert evidence in this type of case, and that he didn't properly
inform himself of all the details of Hodson's charges.

Bellows also noted a disconnect between Hodson's personality
assessment, which indicated anti-social and egomaniacal behaviour, and
several reference letters from his family and friends, which spoke
positively of his character.

"It is remarkable that (Elterman) prefer the conclusion of an
inventory, rather than the opinions of his own family and friends,"
Bellows said.

Michaels detailed Hodson's accomplished athletic career - including
his years as a basketball star at White Rock Christian Academy - his
heavy involvement with family and church, and two charitable
organizations he founded over the years prior to his arrest.

He noted the father of four young children began "spiraling out of
control" in 2009, engaging in heavy drinking and infidelity, which
lead to a temporary separation from his wife, Sarah, and eventually,
his drug-dealing offences.

Since his arrest, Michaels said Hodson has reconciled with his family
and accepted full responsibility for his actions.

"He is more than what occurred on 10 occasions over four months,"
Michaels said. "There is acknowledgment, insight and remorse, and a
real opportunity for Mr. Hodson's rehabilitation and
redemption."

Speaking to reporters outside court, Hodson again apologized to his
wife, family and the VPD and reiterated that he has taken full
responsibility for his actions.

When asked how he thought his more positive accomplishments would
affect the judge's decision, Hodson said he would let them speak for
themselves.

"I'm not coming out here to toot my own horn," he said. "I live my
life, and I've done good things and I've done bad things, and it's a
matter of getting them sorted out."

Rideout is expected to deliver his sentence Sept. 22.

Bellows is seeking a 3 1/2-year jail term for Hodson, while Michaels
is recommending a conditional sentence comprised of two years of house
arrest - one without exceptions and one served in the community with a
strict curfew - followed by three years of probation.