Suspended, convicted and sentenced Hamilton cop now off payroll

The Hamilton Police Service confirms a change in the status of Const. Craig Ruthowsky.

After almost six years of drawing his salary from the public purse, while suspended, the 44-year-old is now suspended without pay.

READ MORE: Hamilton cop Craig Ruthowsky sentenced to 12.5 years in prison

A statement issued by the police service says the change is effective May 30, and it follows a Toronto judge’s sentencing of Ruthowsky on Tuesday after he was convicted cocaine trafficking, taking bribes from drug dealers, breach of trust and obstruction of justice.

The disgraced officer has been sentenced to 12 and a half years in a federal jail.

The Hamilton Police Service confirms it will now move forward with Police Service Act charges and will be seeking Ruthowsky’s dismissal.

The service has been obliged to keep paying Ruthowsky since 2012 while he was under suspension. That obligation ended Tuesday when he received his prison sentence.

Hamilton Police Service Statement

Constable Craig Ruthowsky was sentenced yesterday to a term of imprisonment. He has been suspended without pay effective May 30. This is in accordance with section 89 of the Police Services Act.

An officer can only be terminated after a hearing under Part 5 of the Police Services Act. The Hamilton Police Service will now move forward with Police Service Act charges and will be seeking the dismissal of Constable Ruthowsky.