A former Chatham-Kent Police Service sergeant will no longer face discipline under the Police Services Act, as he has retired.
Sgt. Robert Mugridge announced recently he would retire from the services. He had previously been found guilty of 50 counts of misconduct. His Police Services Act hearing was to take place in December, but his retirement changed everything.
Mugridge pleaded guilty in August to one count of fraud. A 29-year veteran of policing, he bilked people out of more than $247,000 between 2009 and 2014.
The police service was seeking Mugridge’s firing.
“Because of Mugridge’s retirement notification, effective Dec. 22, we (the police) lost judicial jurisdiction for the disciplinary proceeding under the Police Services Act,” police chief Gary Conn said. “The code of conduct section under the PSA is only applicable to sworn officers.”
If any police service in Ontario were to employ him in the next five years, that service would be obliged to continue the prosecution as outlined under the Police Services Act, Conn added.
Mugridge still faced sentencing for the criminal conviction. That was to occur Jan. 9. Information from the sentencing was not available at press time.
Mugridge spent three years suspended with pay while dealing with the matter. He will also still be eligible for a pension, Conn confirmed, but at a reduced rate. The chief declined to discuss personal pension details.
Conn added he is glad to see the matter come to a conclusion.
“Naturally, I am pleased that this matter has concluded with Mr. Mugridge no longer being employed by our service and without the necessity of further legal proceedings,” he said. “Although this has been a rather arduous ordeal for both our service and many citizens/ victims within our municipality, I would assure the public that he has been held accountable for his actions within the parameters of the law.”
This is really outrageous, really after being found guilty of 50 counts of misconduct and nothing done for three years. Something for sure was done, the citizens of Chatham Kent paid this officer for three years so in the end he retires and we still have to pay him.
Anyone in another line of work would be fired, or they would not have any pay until action to charges where done. To top it off he trained in the fire department. (reported in previous chatham paper ) ON THE CITIZENS DOLLAR… This system is wrong BIG TIME.. He knew what he was doing delaying all the time. Do not respect this so call officer it is good there are some VERY GOOD OFFICERS AROUND THAT HOLD OUR RESPECT.
MUDRIDGE DOES NOT EARN ANYONE RESPECT AFTER THREE YEARS OF NOT DOING ANYTHING TO EARN THE
DOLLARS WE AS CITIZENS GAVE HIM IN THE FORM OF A PAYCHEQUE.
New rules have to come in effect so the employees of the municipality do not get paid if there are charges laid against them and maybe it would not take as long to hear case and they will not delay court case either.
Everyone is looking at this case and saying he took the citizens of chatham kent for a ride for three years.