OPP Constable Jamie Porto is banned from driving for a year and will have to pay a $2,500 fine.
Justice Bruce Thomas sentenced the Essex County OPP officer Wednesday in connection with an October 2014 crash in St. Joachim that seriously injured the driver of the other vehicle.
At the time, Porto was on his way to the scene of another fiery crash, and his lawyer, Daniel Scott, says his conviction last December for dangerous driving causing bodily harm has put a chill on police officers.
"Police officers speak to me frequently," says Scott. "I know they're not rushing like they used to."
Scott had asked for a discharge in the case. He also says his client is not handling the conviction well.
"Horrible. He now has a criminal record for ten years," Scott says. "You know when he entered into policing that's not something he ever envisioned."
Porto is also under investigation under the Police Services Act.
Scott says despite the conviction, Porto can continue his career as a police officer.
- With files from Maureen Revait
