Calgary police officer charged with obstruction and breach of trust

UPDATE addedJune 5, 2018:Mark McCulloughwasacquitted in June 2018after a judge found he had acted well within his discretion as a CPS officer during a check on welfare call.

Suspected of helping a friend avoid an impaired driving charge in 2015, a Calgary police officer was charged Wednesday with breach of trust and obstruction of justice.

In November 2015, police were called to the 300 block of Cranston Road S.E. for reports of a woman passed out in the driver's seat of a vehicle with the engine running.

It's believed the officerwho arrived knew her and cancelled a request for breath technicians, then asked the dispatcher to change the call from a suspected impaired driver to a suspended driver.

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Police say the officer then drove the woman to her home and no investigation was completed.

In November 2016, information was sent to the police service's anti-corruption unit, which launched an investigation. Once completed, police consulted with the Edmonton Crown prosecutors' office.

The woman worked at a store in the officer's partol area, said Supt. Cliff O'Brien, head of the anti-corruption unit, and the pair had known each other "for a few months."

"They met at a theft call he attended," O'Brien said, declining to elaborate when asked if the relationship wasromantic in nature.

Officer faces 3 assaultcharges

Mark McCullough, 44, a nine-year memberof the force,was arrested Wednesdayand charged with one count each of breach of trust and obstruction of justice.

McCullough is currently suspended with pay after being charged with three counts of common assault relating to a domestic incident.

Hewas released at the time on $3,000 bail and was ordered to have no contact with the victim, not to go to their home, not to use drugs or alcohol and not to be in possession of weapons.Access to his children is being arranged through a third party.

"He looks forward to proving his innocence at his upcoming domestic trial," said McCullough's lawyer, Cory Wilson.

McCullough'strial on the domestic charges is setfor September and his next court date on theobstruction charges isSept. 13.

Police say an internal investigation will be launched once the criminal process is complete.