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A Regina police officer has been relieved of duty for 30 days after he was charged with six counts of driving while prohibited.
Scott Shane Ash, a constable with 12 years of service with the Regina Police Service, was charged after an investigation by police in consultation with the Crown.
Chief Evan Bray ordered Ash, 38, be relieved of duty. He also will be the subject of an administrative investigation, to be conducted by the Professional Standards Unit of the Regina Police Service.
In a media release Thursday, police said the administrative investigation will conclude only after the criminal matters have been dealt with. Ash is to make his first court appearance March 24 at 9:30 a.m.
According to a summary provided by police, on Aug. 19 of last year, an RPS vehicle equipped with an Automated Licence Plate Reader gave off an alarm to signal a suspended driver when it passed a parked vehicle. That later was identified as Ash’s personal vehicle.
“The investigation that followed confirmed that Ash was a prohibited driver and alleges Ash operated police vehicles as a Regina Police Service constable on at least six occasions between July 14, 2021 and August 26, 2021,” the police summary said.
“The Regina Police Service was not aware Ash’s licence was suspended on July 14, 2021 due to unpaid fines.”
Police also determined during their investigation that Ash was only allowed to operate a vehicle with an ignition interlock device, which was ordered after he pleaded guilty to an impaired driving charge from August of 2019.
On Aug. 21 of that year, police responded to a crash on Lewvan Drive at Harbour Landing Drive. No one was hurt in the crash, but Ash subsequently was charged.
Two months later, Ash pleaded guilty to driving while over .08 and received a $3,000 fine and a one-year driving ban.
EDITOR’S NOTE: On June 1, 2023, Ash pleaded guilty to one count of driving while prohibited and received a $300 fine with a $90 surcharge. Five other counts were stayed.
