Fredericton police officer pleads not guilty to impaired charges

A Fredericton police officer facingtwo impaired driving-related charges had not guilty pleas entered on his behalf in provincial court on Monday.

Cpl. Lou Lafleur is charged with alternate counts of impaired driving, and ofhaving elevated blood alcohol levels while in care and control of a vehicle.

The charges stem from an alleged incident on July 8.

Lawyer T.J. Burke entered the pleas on Lafleur's behalf in Fredericton court.

"We intend to pursue the matter fully and vigorously on his behalf," Burke told reportersfollowing the proceedings.

Lafleur, whohas been restricted to administrative desk duty since the time of the alleged incident, was not present incourt.

"He's very emotional about this particular issue," said Burke. "He is a police officer with plenty of years of experience and understands the system quite better than most individuals who have been charged with criminal offences before."

A trial has been scheduled for June 21.

Edmundston-based Crown prosecutor Pierre Rousellewill handle the trial.

Lafleur is one of two Fredericton officers charged with impaired driving.

Const. DarrellIan Brewer has pleaded not guilty and has a trial scheduled for April 27-28.

"There is no question that the Fredericton city police department has been under tremendous scrutiny," said Burke.

"Its officers have been under some scrutiny. The public has been scrutinizing the actions of officers and this is unfortunate for the city and our department and the officers themselves," he said.

"I can't comment specifically on what was in my client's mind that evening, I can't comment on what's on anybody's mind that particular evening. They're the person that has to justify their actions. However ...the law is set up in a way to make sure people get a proper defence and again, what we're going to do is provide him a vigorous defence to these charges."