SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. -- The president of a Prince Edward Island chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada has resigned after being charged with impaired driving, the organization's CEO said Wednesday.

Andrew Murie said David Griffin, who was a police officer for 45 years, was charged with impaired driving in June and immediately resigned as volunteer president of MADD's East Prince County chapter.

Murie said formal charges were laid this week.

He said he was shocked and disappointed, but also has some compassion for Griffin, who he says did great work for the organization during his three years as president.

"He was a great volunteer. He led that chapter and was engaged with the organization," said Murie in a phone interview from Oakville, Ont. "You couldn't have asked for a more model volunteer."

Murie said in his 18 years as CEO of MADD, he's never dealt with an incident like this.

"This is the first time we've had a volunteer charged with impaired driving, where we've had to ask them to leave the organization," said Murie.

Murie said the East Prince County chapter is moving on from the incident.

"They don't want this to affect their image in the community," he said. "This is an unfortunate incident but it doesn't stop the important work we have to do."