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Police officer pleads not guilty to impaired driving

Oct 23, 2017 | 5:00 PM

A Prince Albert police officer accused of driving while impaired will be taking the charge to trial.

Brett Lee Henry, a city police officer with more than 13 years’ experience, was charged with impaired driving in June after an extensive police investigation. According to the police service, the investigation began with a civilian tip reporting an impaired driver March 3. Subsequent investigation revealed Henry was the driver. Henry was not on duty at the time of the alleged offence, police said, and the long delay between the incident and the resulting charge was due to the lengthy investigation and consultations with the Crown.

This afternoon Henry entered a not-guilty plea through his Saskatoon-based defence lawyer Michael Owens. A two-day trial was scheduled to be held in February at Prince Albert Provincial Court.

The court process was delayed several times in recent months, largely due to issues surrounding the digital video recordings entered as evidence by the Crown. Owens was granted several adjournments after he was not able to access the video discs sent to his office, which he said included at least one video captured at the GAS Tavern, a local bar and nightclub.