Former NSW policeman may avoid jail

A former NSW police officer who misled the police watchdog over a drug-fuelled weekend with fellow officers is likely to avoid going to prison.

Robert John Reid immediately launched an appeal and was released on bail after being sentenced in September last year to 13 months jail for misleading the Police Integrity Commission (PIC) over a 2010 weekend bender with former and serving officers in Queensland.

Judge Paul Lakatos told Sydney's District Court on Wednesday that although Reid attempted to corrupt the system and his initial sentence was appropriate, it was not in line with his co-offenders.

Instead, he referred Reid to be assessed for an Intensive Correction Order (ICO), which, if successful, means the 46-year-old will serve his term in the community rather than behind bars.

In handing down his decision, Judge Lakatos said the offences committed by Reid were wilful and intentional to protect his friends from facing the consequences of their actions.

"As a former police officer he knew the role of the PIC," Judge Lakatos said.

The comments come after the Downing Centre Local Court heard last year that Reid had told the PIC he did not remember whether anyone else ate hash cookies or took ecstasy or cocaine during the boys' weekend.

He also denied supplying the illicit drugs for the Gold Coast jaunt, saying another of his "mates" had been responsible for the hash cookies.

But Magistrate Peter Barnett rejected the claims last year, saying surveillance footage - which had been secretly installed by investigators at the Gold Coast apartment - clearly showed Reid bringing hash cookies into the room before proclaiming: "Help yourself guys, go nuts."

Footage taken on one of the mornings after the evening drinking sessions also showed Reid asking one of the other men, "How many of those f***ing pills did you ram down your throat?"

Reid will return to court in December to decide whether he is suitable for an ICO.