A police officer who lives in Burlington has been demoted after pleading guilty to drinking and driving, a charge laid when he was pulled over for excessive speeding on the QEW.

But, even though he now has a criminal conviction and pleaded guilty to discreditable conduct under the Police Services Act, Peel Regional Police Const. Adrian Woolley will stay on as president of the Peel Regional Police Association (PRPA), according to Trevor Arnold, chief administrative officer of the Association.

“President Woolley has taken full responsibility for his actions from the beginning. The Board of the PRPA is unanimous in our support of Adrian and will continue to support him," according to a statement from the association's board of directors, sent to Inside Halton by Arnold. "He will not be stepping down and will continue to serve the membership of the PRPA."

The 45-year-old Woolley however, will be demoted to second-class constable, from first-class constable, for eight months, according to a recent decision by hearing officer Acting Supt. Lisa Hewison at a Police Services Act hearing.

“As a leader, I must take responsibility for my failings, which is why I immediately disclosed my mistake and the charges against me to the membership. I believe in being transparent," Woolley said in an email to Inside Halton. "Furthermore, in keeping with the necessity for a leader to take responsibility for his actions, I pleaded guilty to the charges at the earliest opportunity."

The hearing heard on Feb. 9, 2019, just before 11:15 p.m., Woolley was driving a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta on the QEW, near Woodward Avenue in Hamilton, and was clocked at 174 km/h by an OPP officer conducting speed enforcement in the area.

The officer initiated a traffic stop on the right shoulder and detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage on Woolley’s breath, the hearing heard.

Woolley provided a breath sample, which registered 119 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

He was charged and, on April 26, Woolley pleaded guilty to excess blood alcohol (having more than 80 mg of alcohol in 100 mL of blood) and received a fine of $3,000 and a driving prohibition of 18 months.

Hewison said Woolley's actions were serious and particularly egregious because as PRPA president, he is in a leadership position where members of the Police Regional Police have entrusted him and look to him for guidance.