A London police sergeant who pleaded guilty to criminal charges for impaired driving while on duty has been ordered to serve a 13-month demotion after a police disciplinary hearing Thursday.

Barbra Martin, a 19-year veteran, will be demoted to the rank of first class constable after serving the sentence agreed to in a joint submission on Thursday. As part of the submission, Martin pleaded guilty to two counts of discreditable conduct, one for acting in a manner that discredits the force, the second for being guilty of a criminal offence. A third charge of consuming alcohol on duty was withdrawn.

Martin, 40, made a brief statement at the tribunal, apologizing to the force, her family and members of the community.

"I take full responsibility," she said.

Hearings officer Terrence Kelly, a retired York Region deputy chief, said he accepted the joint submission in part because Martin pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity to both the criminal and disciplinary hearing charges.

"If you come before this tribunal again charged with charges as serious as this you will, in all probability, be looking at the lose of your profession as a police officer," said Kelly.

Open containers in the car

Martin was pulled over on Oct. 14, 2018, after attending an undercover police training exercise in Aylmer. According to an agreed-upon statement of facts, each participant in the exercise was given a single drink ticket and allowed to buy other alcoholic beverages as part of the training scenario.

Martin left at about 11 p.m. but was still on duty until 1 a.m. After noticing her speeding, an officer struggled to catch up to Martin's vehicle despite driving himself at speeds above 150 kilometres per hour.

She was pulled over, and the officer conducting the stop saw open and sealed alcohol containers in the vehicle. The officer also reported that Martin appeared "disoriented" and "exhibited signs of impairment."

She failed two breathalyzer tests, with readings of 208 and 212 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

She pleaded guilty to a criminal charge of impaired driving in December and was sentenced to a $1,200 fine and a 12-month driving ban.

'Address her association with alcohol'

The statement of facts also said Martin had no disciplinary record and had positive workplace reviews over her career.

The statement of facts also said Martin "has provided mitigating documentation demonstrating how she has taken steps since her arrest to reflect on her actions and address her association with alcohol."

Martin left the disciplinary hearing without speaking to reporters.

The London Police Service made no statement.