North Vancouver RCMP Corporal Darren Baker faced his colleagues at a RCMP disciplinary hearing on Wednesday, after admitting driving drunk while off-duty.

Baker was taken to the West Vancouver Police Department in December 2007 after West Vancouver police noticed him driving erratically. His blood alcohol level was two-and-a-half times over the legal limit.

The RCMP could have fired Baker for misconduct. Instead, he found out at the disciplinary hearing at Vancouver's E Division headquarters he'll get a letter on his file and a penalty of 10 days without pay, 

Baker, a former school-liaison officer, also escaped criminal charges last month because of a technicality. The Crown forgot to request a police surveillance video of Baker being booked at the West Vancouver department.

An RCMP spokeswoman said the penalty of the misconduct was lower because of the efforts he had since made.

"It appears Mr. Baker [had] gone to great lengths to deal with alcohol addictions and he had personal family problems," said Cst. Annie Linteau.

B.C.'s Attorney General is denying police officers get special treatment.

"The same standard applies to the police as to anyone else when it comes to laying charges. It may that a fault in the evidence or some shortcoming in the evidence, otherwise he would be charged," said Wally Oppal.

When asked whether the public should take impaired campaigns seriously when one of their own members was not following law, Inspector Norm Gaumont, head of the RCMP's traffic division, acknowledged it was an important issue.

"Well, I believe the big issue here is we all recognized the dangers of impaired driving. We all have to be vocal and indicating that it's just not tolerable," he said.

Bob Rorison of the Mother's Against Drunk Drivers of B.C. said his organization is "absolutely, thoroughly disgusted," adding that less than 50 per cent of DUI charges ever result in a conviction.

The Mounties had a chance to send a strong message and blew it, he added.

"This guy got off with a little slap on the wrist, and he walks away and he's free and you know what about all those lives he endangered on the highway while he was driving? Does he not consider that?" He said.

The Crown announced Thursday it won't be appealing the case. Baker is already back on the job.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Jina You.