Would-be Calgary cop charged in domestic abuse case
Posted Mar 1, 2012 7:51 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A Calgary police recruit is facing seven charges of spousal abuse after a domestic abuse investigation.
Robert Morton resigned 17 weeks into his 23 week program after police were called to his Cougar Ridge home in January.
Morton faces three counts of assault with a weapon, three counts of common assault, and one count of uttering threats.
The 35-year old is accused of using weapons like a knife and fork, a broom, and an orange.
His defense lawyer tells the Calgary Herald, that “he and his wife are going to counseling and working on the situation.”
A former member of both the Canadian Military and the Peel Regional Police, he was released on $400 bail, ordered to stay away from the family house, and to preside in a residence approved by probation.
He was suspended-with-pay at the start of the investigation and then resigned prior to charges being laid.
A police spokesman has confirmed his recruit class graduated last Friday without Morton.
Calgary Police Association President John Dooks calls the situation disappointing and wants to stress that no one is above the law.
Dooks tells 660News, officers are held accountable to the highest standard possible.
“It’s not very often that officers or individuals in the police service are charged with an offence,” he says. “So that is very unique and unusual. It’s something that we don’t like to see by any means.”
Dooks says Morton’s ability to reapply with the department would probably depend on if he’s convicted on any of the charges.
“Individuals who are convicted, it’s very difficult to apply,” he says. “But an allegation is still an allegation. It’s always possible for an individual whose been exonerated to make an application.”
Dooks adds the service takes domestic violence situations very seriously and it provides counseling services to all of its members.
Morton will appear in court next on March 9th.
