DIRTY COP GETS FOUR YEARS

A metro judge sentenced a disgraced RCMP officer to four years in jail for drug trafficking yesterday.

Justice Walter Goodfellow of Nova Scotia Supreme Court gave Joseph Daniel Paul ( Danny ) Ryan a longer term than the Crown had sought for drug trafficking and breach of trust.

Lawyer David Bright, acting for the Crown, had asked for at least three years' jail time.

Defence lawyer Mike Taylor lobbied for a conditional sentence of two years less a day, with three years' probation after that.

Goodfellow called that a "completely inappropriate" punishment that would have promoted disrespect for the law and failed miserably to denounce similar conduct.

Ryan, 33, burst into tears after sentencing.

He called, "I love you, babe," to his wife Lily, who was already wracked with sobs.

Ryan also wept loudly through his apology, saying he was sorry for letting his family, friends and colleagues down.

His words didn't hold much sway with the judge, however, who noted Ryan ignored the impact of his actions on the administration of justice.

"It had nothing to do with any personal problems and everything to do with greed," Goodfellow said of Ryan's motive for violating his oath to uphold the law.

Ryan's crimes took place in early 2002.

They involved stealing marijuana and hashish, which had been seized during arrests, from the Tantallon office and recruiting a source to deal them for him.

The offences came to light after the source turned him into police as a "dirty cop." The constable was suspended from the force.

The judge pointed out the irony of the ex-Tantallon Mountie's exemplary work with a team in charge of getting drugs off the street.

"His love of luxury and tendency to live beyond his means may have played a significant role," the author of Ryan's pre-sentence report concluded.

Ryan is recovering from a July car accident in which his six-year-old son suffered severe brain damage.  He is now working as service manager for a company in Quebec.