REGINA — A veteran Regina police officer has been removed from duty after several charges were laid for driving while under a suspended license.
The Regina Police Service issued a news release on Feb. 10 containing details about the investigation, in accordance with past practice and as part of a “commitment to public accountability.”
Scott Ash, a constable with 12 years of service in the RPS, has been charged with six counts of allegedly operating a vehicle while prohibited.
A Regina police vehicle equipped with a license plate reader identified Ash’s personal vehicle as that of a suspended driver on Aug. 19, 2021. The vehicle was parked at the time.
The ensuing investigation confirmed that Ash was a prohibited driver, after his license was earlier suspended on July 14 due to unpaid fines.
Ash is alleged to have operated police vehicles while on duty during at least six different occasions between July 14 and Aug. 26, 2021, according to the RPS.
Further investigation also revealed Ash was only allowed to operate a vehicle with an ignition interlock device, following an impaired driving charge in relation to an off-duty incident in August of 2019.
The RPS said it was not aware that Ash had a suspended license at the time, and that he has been "relieved from duty" for 30 days.
Chief Evan Bray said there will be an administrative investigation, in accordance with The Police Act, to be conducted by the Standards Unit of the RPS once the criminal charges have been addressed.
Ash will appear in provincial court on these charges on March 24.