Greater Sudbury Police Service Sgt. Arlington Mullens pleaded guilty to one count of discreditable conduct in a disciplinary hearing on May 24, with a joint sentencing submission accepted by Superintendent Peter Lennox .A joint statement of facts detailing the allegations against Mullens was read into the record by Joël Dubois, an Ottawa-based litigation lawyer. Mullens was represented by Chad Boyd, vice president of the Sudbury Police Association.
“Once he was done selecting various items he proceeded to the self-checkout lanes to process his order. While using the self checkout, the kiosk Mullens was using started flashing and displaying an incorrect weight. “The actions of Sergeant Mullens as described above were: A, irresponsible; B, could reasonably be perceived by members of the public as an attempt to shoplift; C, could have brought discredit upon the reputation of Sgt. Mullens, and of the Greater Sudbury Police Service; and D, constitute discreditable conduct,” said Dubois, before noting that the agreed statement of facts is dated May 24 and signed by both Dubois and Mullens.
The ability to reform and rehabilitate the officer is the next consideration in sentencing, said Dubois. “The officer taking responsibility is mitigating, and the officer, obviously, can be rehabilitated, and that was taken into consideration as part of the joint submission.”