Sudbury police officers demoted for fraudulent health benefits claims

Two Sudbury police officers have confessed to claiming more than $3,000 in extended health services they never received, and were sentenced for police misconduct, the CBC has reported.

Constables Christopher Labreche and Kathryn Howard, who are married to each other, are facing temporary demotions that would see their combined annual income cut by over $100,000 this year.

According to a news report from the CBC website, the couple filed 29 false claims for medical services such as vision care, massage therapy and chiropractic treatments.

Labreche will be demoted to 4th class constable – equivalent to an annual pay cut of $32,000. It will take three years before he is promoted back to 1st class. Howard will be demoted from 1st class to 2nd class constable for one year, the CBC reported.

“Nonetheless, we have confidence in the system that governs the discipline in our service and the membership will continue to serve with respect, with honesty and with integrity,” Sudbury police spokesperson Sergeant Marc Brunette told the CBC.

More on this story from the CBC news website.