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An Edmonton police officer will be docked $3,150 in pay — an equivalent of 70 hours — after crashing an unmarked car into a civilian van in 2014.

Const. Ashlee Jean Shepansky was responding to a high priority call Oct. 8 when the accident happened near 82 Street and 144 Avenue.

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The eight-year veteran reportedly was doing 2-1/2 times the posted speed limit on her way to the scene, had not engaged sirens and was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, a police disciplinary hearing heard Monday.

Shepansky pleaded guilty to a dangerous driving charge in court Jan. 12, 2016, and was handed a suspended sentence with an absolute discharge.

Presenting counsel Teresa Magee argued the 29-year-old had accepted fault for the crash, but had nevertheless endangered lives.

“The membership needs to be aware there will be serious repercussions for the manner in which they operate police vehicles which place the public at serious risk,” Magee said.

In unsuccessfully asking for a lesser punishment, counsel Bill Newton said Shepansky had already faced “disguised discipline,” including being relieved of responsibilities as a police training officer, prevented from acting as a temporary supervisor and precluded from working special duty.

Retired RCMP chief superintendent Fred Kamins, who presided over the hearing, said it was a case of poor decision-making.

“You are of no help to any of the officers that were calling for assistance the day of this incident, in fact you compounded what was already a very busy time for the police service,” Kamins said.

Shepansky will be docked five hours per pay period.

jgraney@postmedia.com

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