A 47-year-old York Regional Police officer has been sentenced to more than seven years in jail following a conviction on eight corruption-related charges last November.

Constable Richard Senior is also subject to a 10-year weapons prohibition, a lifetime ban on restricted/prohibited weapons and must submit his DNA according to a media release from police.

“He has initiated an appeal from conviction and is expected to be released on bail until that process is complete,” it reads.

A 10-month long investigation initiated in January of 2018 alleged the officer was involved in a number of criminal enterprises, including the attempted armed robbery of a quantity of cocaine; the theft and illegal possession of a York Regional Police shotgun; the trafficking of steroids to another officer; trafficking cocaine; and the disclosing of confidential police information.

He was arrested in October of 2018 and convicted of the following charges — traffic a controlled substance – cocaine, traffic a controlled substance – testosterone (steroids), possession of a weapon obtained by crime, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, two counts of unauthorized use of computer and two counts of breach of trust.

Senior has been a member of York Regional Police for 16 years. With the conviction Thursday (Jan. 20), he has now suspended the officer without pay. Under the Police Services Act, the Chief of Police cannot withhold pay from a suspended officer unless that officer is convicted of an offence and sentenced to a term of imprisonment.

“This unacceptable criminal behaviour is not tolerated by our organization and my thanks go to the members who investigated this case and the prosecutors who secured the convictions,” said York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween

“This is not a reflection of the hard-working, dedicated and professional members working each day to keep our community safe. We remain committed to being transparent and accountable to our community.”