Toronto cop with history of misconduct charged with impaired driving

A Toronto police officer, with a history of misconduct, has been arrested for impaired driving while off-duty in Whitby.

Durham police say Matthew Brewer, 39, is facing multiple charges after allegedly hopping a curb and crashing into a parked pick-up truck on Taunton Road around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Brewer was charged with impaired driving, driving while exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit, dangerous driving and breach of probation.

Durham police would not confirm his occupation but Toronto Police confirmed to CityNews that the TPS officer was arrested by Durham police.

Brewer was released without conditions and is expected to appear in court on May 21. He was on administrative duties prior to his arrest and was suspended with pay as of Sunday.

Back in 2016, the constable was accused of using profanity and pepper-spraying a man in handcuffs in the back of his police car.

In his police tribunal hearing for the incident, in which he also admitted to drinking on the job outside a hospital, he was given a five day suspension with no pay.

He was placed on administrative duty and does not carry any use of force weapon including a gun, baton or pepper spray.

In another incident in December of 2016 while he was off-duty, Brewer was criminally charged and pleaded guilty after neighbours heard gunshots outside his home in Durham region. He had been threatening his wife and fired multiple shots into the air.

He was convicted of common nuisance and unauthorized possession of a firearm.

Brewer is also accused of allegedly threatening his superior officer by text and accusing the Staff Sergeant of having sex with his wife. He last appeared before a police tribunal on April 16 for discreditable conduct.

Brewer’s defense to some of the charges he has faced is that he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and other trauma issues related to his work.

His counsel has argued that, while it doesn’t excuse his behaviour, his mental health issues would be reason for rehabilitation.