“An assault like this differs from most of the assaults I see before me,” wrote presiding officer and retired RCMP chief superintendent Fred Kamins in his decision. “It was not in the line of duty. It was not a misjudgement or misapplication of force during an arrest. Pure and simple, it was Constable Dreger lashing out. “Unacceptable? Without doubt. Reason for dismissal? Not at all, under the circumstances.” Vodka and wine in officer’s running car

According to the written decision, Dreger admitted to two charges of discreditable conduct for her actions on the morning of March 25, 2018 in Sherwood Park. When Dreger was off duty, a passerby found Dreger passed out in the driver’s seat of a running vehicle that was improperly parked. Two RCMP officers arrived and found her disoriented, glossy-eyed and unable to speak coherently or comply with simple directions.

When an RCMP officer asked for Dreger’s licence and registration, she reached into the backseat for a bottle of wine. An open bottle of vodka, one-third full, was also in the back seat. She provided two breath samples, both of which were more than three times the legal driving limit for blood alcohol.

At the RCMP detachment, Dreger became “argumentative” about surrendering her cell phone, the decision said. After she tried to grab it back, a sergeant intervened, and took the phone out of her hand. She grabbed him by the throat and let go only when he said she would face a charge of assaulting a police officer.

Officer diagnosed with PTSD, depression

Dreger later pleaded guilty to a criminal charge of impaired care and control of a vehicle with a blood alcohol level higher than 0.08 per cent. She received a sentence of 15 months probation, a one-year driving ban and a $100 victim surcharge.

Since her arrest, Dreger has participated in addictions treatment, therapy and peer group programs, the decision said. She accepted responsibility for her actions and apologized to Edmonton police for her conduct. In a letter to the police service, she said she has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety stemming from an accident involving her son and responding to calls for help involving children.

The 13-year officer has been on long-term disability since the incident.

However, Kamins said he was unconvinced Dreger’s medical issues were directly related to her assault on a fellow officer. That offence called for a penalty to deter her and other officers from similar behaviour, he said.

jfrench@postmedia.com

Listen to our Canadian news podcast, 10/3