An active member of the Yorkton RCMP has lost his driver's licence and is the subject of a Code of Conduct review following a guilty plea to driving with over .08 blood alcohol content (BAC).
Cpl. Terry Hyggen was charged with impaired driving and the .08 charge June 8 when Melfort police received a complaint of a drunk driver. Members pulled him over near Weldon and observed signs of impairment. Two breath samples yielded BAC readings of .25 and .25.
The Mountie pleaded guilty in Melfort provincial court June 24 to the .08 charge. The Crown stayed the impaired charge. He received a $1,200 fine based on the aggravating circumstance of having more than three times the legal BAC limit. He also received the statutory one-year driving suspension.
The RCMP placed Hyggen on administrative leave pending the outcome of the Code of Conduct investigation.
Sgt. Craig Cleary, a spokesperson for "F" Division said they hope to wrap up the investigation quickly, but could not offer a timeframe.
Possible penalties include informal discipline such as reprimands, professional counseling, forfeiture of pay, close supervision and transfer.
If the force decides formal discipline is appropriate he could face stiffer sanctions up to and including demotion or dismissal.
Cleary said if Hyggen remains with the Mounties he will be assigned duties that do not require him to drive.
