A police officer in Chatham-Kent has one less criminal charge to contend with if she takes responsibility for her actions and gets help.
A drug possession charge laid against Const. Cristelle Vanden Enden will be withdrawn if she is eligible for and completes a program called Direct Accountability.
The program is an alternative to prosecution for eligible individuals who have been charged with minor criminal offences. The program involves accused persons being held accountable through community-based sanctions, such as community service, a donation to a charity, a letter of apology, counselling, or attending an alcohol and drug awareness program.
Vanden Enden was charged following a drug complaint on March 21, 2020. She was on a leave of absence at the time of the incident and will remain on a leave of absence for reasons that can't be disclosed.
Vanden Enden was also arrested and charged with fraud and other offences in May following an investigation dating back to December of 2019. Chatham-Kent police said they started looking into that case after a local citizen reported the theft of personal blank cheques on December 27, 2019. Vanden Enden is also facing undisclosed charges under the Police Services Act.