A police sergeant who submitted $960 worth of false medical benefit claims is expected to have to wait until at least the end of December to learn his fate in a disciplinary case that has the Hamilton Police Service seeking dismissal and the defence arguing for demotion.

Sgt. Jason Howard pleaded guilty to discreditable conduct in July. And while the two sides agree on the facts of the case — that Howard filed 22 false claims to Manulife between January and October of 2013 for chiropractic and physiotherapy for him and his daughter — their interpretations on the severity of the errors are starkly different.

Defence attorney Bernard Cummins said Howard is "contrite, remorseful and taking responsibility for his actions." He also argued that while those actions were inappropriate, $960 "is not that much."

Howard paid the money back and related criminal fraud charges were withdrawn.

Police lawyer Marco Visentini, however, argued Howard's actions showed a deliberate, planned and repeated pattern of misconduct.

During an earlier hearing Howard testified that it's likely many of the false claims were submitted on account of his poor bookkeeping. He explained that he used his often outdated phone's calendar and not actual receipts when submitting claims.

Visentini has called this explanation implausible.

It was also revealed during Monday's hearing that there were some errors in the original agreed statement of facts. Specifically, in several instances claims for chiropractic and physiotherapy were submitted for the same visit, when in fact Howard only had chiropractic services.

Howard told the hearing officer that when he went to appointments he would receive several different services from several different staff members. He believed he received the same program at each visit, even if the billing information said otherwise.

It was also revealed that in six instances Howard did not submit claims for services rendered.

Cummins pointed to Howard's otherwise exemplary record, co-operation with Police Services Act investigators and huge cost to his reputation as mitigating factors.

Howard began his career in Hamilton in 1998, eventually rising to the rank of sergeant. He worked in the gang and weapon enforcement and sexual assault units, and was the Mountain crime manager at the time of his April 2014 suspension.

The case is scheduled to resume Dec. 18 by conference call, where the hearing officer is expected to set a date to give his decision.