A terrible Stain On The Windsor Police Service.
By Sarah Sachelli , The Windsor Star  October 9,2008

Windsor police Const. Michael Shannon could begin serving a jail term today for stealing $425 from an undercover officer during a sting operation.

Shannon, 40, pleaded guilty to theft and breach of trust after taking the bait during an orchestrated traffic stop Oct.4, 2007. Shannon took money out of a duffle bag before sending the driver off without a ticket. He was arrested a few minutes later.

In accordance with provincial regulations, Shannon has been suspended with pay since his arrest.

In a four-page letter read in court by his lawyer, Andrew Bradie, Shannon detailed a life-long struggle with alcohol and drug addiction. He said he started using drugs at the age of 10 after being sexually abused by a baby sitter, While he managed to kick his addictions several times throughout his life, he pointed to a bitter divorce, the death of his friend Const. John Atkinson, and the still-born death of a daughter with his ex-girlfriend as triggers for relapses.

A probation officer charged with preparing a report for the courts on Shannon said the officer has been getting treatment for his addictions and has been seeing the police department psychologist regularly since his arrest. The probation officer said Shannon would be a suitable candidate for house arrest.

In making a sentencing suggestion to Ontario court judge Don Downie, Bradie pointed to former Windsor police officer Tom Rettig who received a conditional discharge for stealing a laptop during a raid, then trying to sell it to another officer.

Bradie said Shannon should, at most, be sentenced to a period of house arrest.

"I ask you not to make the proverbial jail cell door to be slammed on Mr. Shannon," Bradie said.

But calling Shannon's action "a terrible stain on the Windsor Police Service," Crown prosecutor David Foulds said Shannon "should be put in real jail."

Foulds, brought in from the Ministry of the Attorney General's regional office in London to prosecute Shannon, said the officer should serve 6 to 12 months in jail.

"I ask you to be mindful of the public perception that your sentence would have," Foulds told the judge.

"It is important that society sees a police officer not get away with the crime."

Shannon returns to court at 2:30 PM today for sentencing.

Copyright (c) The Windsor Star.