Veteran Durham Police officer charged with failure to provide necessities of life

A longtime Durham Regional Police officer faces criminal charges after allegedly failing to provide the necessities of life during an emergency call.

Constable James Wright is a 23-year member of Durham Police. He was dispatched to a 911 call back in March. However, police allege Wright failed to provide medical assistance during his response and left a man in medical distress.

Police say Wright left the man in the care of a family member who later had to seek proper medical help. The person in distress required treatment in hospital. They were admitted and subsequently released.

Durham Police have not provided any further details of the incident. Durham Police said their organization “maintains accountability with supervisory oversight which includes proactive reviews of calls for service. During one of these reviews, an investigation was commenced into the alleged criminality.”

Wright has since been released from custody. He is now suspended with pay until the courts render a verdict. According to the Ontario Sunshine List, Wright made a little over $122,000 last year.

If found guilty, Wright faces up to five years in prison.