VPD officer fired after being charged with marijuana trafficking

By Staff Reporter, The Province

 

Vancouver Police Const. Peter Hodson, 31, has been arrested and charged with selling marijuana — while both on and off duty, Chief Cont. Jim Chu said Wednesday.

 

Chu called the development “shocking and disturbing” and said Hodson was fired Wednesday.

 

Also charged is Oscar Lapitan.

 

Hodson faces further charges of breach of trust, selling drugs and illegal use of a police database.

 

Chu said he was also charged with break-and-enter with the intent to commit extortion, in connection with the street-level drug trafficking allegations.

 

Police allege that the offences took place between Dec. 4, 2009 and April 20.

 

Hodson has been a member of the VPD for fewer than five years, Chu said.

 

About 18 months ago, he was charged with impaired driving. That matter is still before the courts.

 

Chu said police “learned just two months ago” about the new allegations and took “immediate steps to initiate an extraordinary investigation” into whether the “rot was confined to this one officer.”

 

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

 

A special office was created off-site from regular facilities to ensure the integrity of the investigation, which involved 30 officers, Chu said.

 

The RCMP also provided assistance and senior investigative oversight, he said.