Top Meadow Lake RCMP officer suspended, under investigation

REGINA — The detachment commander for the Meadow Lake RCMP has been suspended with pay and removed from command after an internal code of conduct investigation was launched.

On Thursday, Sgt. Craig Cleary, spokesman for RCMP ‘F’ division, revealed few details about the investigation of inappropriate workplace behaviour or the identity of the officer — a 30-year RCMP member holding the rank of staff sergeant — who was suspended on Tuesday. The complaint was received on June 3.

Cleary said the officer was removed from command on Tuesday and that he was involved in another disciplinary hearing regarding allegations at a detachment in 2009.

The allegations were dismissed, but Cleary wouldn’t discuss the cir- cumstances around the dismissal.

“We acknowledge that there were issues with regards to that. We acknowledged those issues at the time and those acknowledgments are a matter of public record ... We also acknowledge that we’ve learned from the issues that came to light as a result of that investigation,” he said.

After the 2009 discipline hearing was dismissed, the member received a promotion, Cleary said.

Cleary wouldn’t reveal how many complainants are involved in the most recent allegations, whether they are officers or civilian members, how many incidents of inappropriate workplace behaviour were reported, or the time period in which they allegedly took place.

He also wouldn’t specify what the allegation or allegations are, beyond saying they were inappropriate workplace behaviour.

“The reason we can’t get into the specific details of the allegations themselves is to protect the integrity of the investigation as well as any of those people that are involved,” he said.

When asked if the new complaints are related to the complaints in 2009, Cleary said they are “separate and apart.”

He added that “we cannot draw any parallels or comparisons because those previous allegations, again, were dismissed.”

The identity of the member would be publicly released if the investigation leads to a formal disciplinary hearing, he added.

“The RCMP members are subject to the same laws as all Canadian citizens. On and off duty members are all governed by the RCMP code of conduct.

“It is important to note that an RCMP member is entitled to fair and due process throughout a code of conduct investigation and any ensuing disciplinary process.”

Cleary said it’s not known how long the investigation will take.