An Ottawa police sergeant has been ordered to resign within seven days or he'll be fired after he was found guilty of insubordination, corrupt practices and deceit.

During the internal disciplinary hearing, Sgt. Rohan Beebakhee admitted to using two police databases — one federal and one local — to access private information 437 times with no lawful reasons for doing so in 2011 and 2012.

In all, those database searches violated the privacy of 83 people, said hearing officer Terence Kelly, a retired York region deputy police chief, on Thursday as he read his sentencing decision.

Beebakhee also used his position to get phone subscriber information from the Ottawa police intelligence bureau 17 times without any lawful investigative reasons for doing so.

'A complete disregard for privacy'

"The numerous deliberate acts over a period of time, on and off duty involving several police services, colleagues and friends, showed a complete disregard for privacy rights," Kelly said.

Defence lawyer Bill Carroll says he and his client plan to file an appeal within 30 days. (Kristy Nease/CBC) Beebakhee also maintained contact with an escort service called Pink Kitty and multiple escorts after being ordered not to by the Ottawa police professional standards section in February 2011.

He also gained access to Ottawa police reports that were made private by lead investigators, one of which involved an escort he was in a relationship with, and misled investigators who were looking into his unauthorized database use.

"The extent of [his] conduct was to such a degree that the suitability of him remaining an officer in this police service has been nullified. He denied his oath of office and neither this police service, nor the community it serves can or will condone or tolerate a law enforcement officer acting in the manner prescribed here."

The sergeant has been suspended from duty with pay since the Police Services Act charges were laid against him three years ago.

No apology made so far

He initially pleaded not guilty to all six charges, but during the trial he admitted to two counts of insubordination. Beebakhee was found guilty on all remaining charges in September 2014.

Kelly noted Thursday that Beebakhee has so far not apologized for his actions or expressed any remorse.

Bill Carroll, the officer's defence lawyer, said Thursday that they plan to file an appeal within 30 days, arguing that Beebakhee's good work didn't factor heavily enough into the hearing officer's sentencing decision.

"No significant weight was put on the exemplary service that this officer gave Ottawa police for over 25 years," Carroll told reporters after Thursday's sentencing.

Carroll was referring to numerous complimentary letters and notes of appreciation from members of the public and fellow officers during his time working for the Nepean and Ottawa police services, which Kelly said he considered a mitigating factor while formulating his decision.

"Of course [Beebakhee is] disappointed. ... I don't think that anybody who knew the evidence and knew the background of this officer would have expected [this sentence]," Carroll said.

Beebakhee sat perfectly still throughout Thursday's sentencing, said a brief "Thank you, sir," to the hearing officer after the sentence was delivered, and had no comment as he left the building.