CITY SWIMMING INSTRUCTOR CHARGED WITH VOYEURISM
Alderman calls for policy review
A city alderman is calling for a full investigation into practices at city recreational facilities in light of voyeurism charges against a swimming instructor.
Donald Robertshaw is accused of surreptitiously recording images of four women inside a staff-only locker-room at the Canyon Meadows Aquatic and Fitness Centre.
He was charged earlier this week.
Contacted by the Herald on Tuesday morning, the 60-year-old said he was still a city employee for now.
“Until I get all the details, I’d rather not discuss it,” he said.
While Robertshaw awaits a court date, Ald. Diane ColleyUrquhart said the city must now review policy and signage at fitness centres, adding it’s a reminder that “people of that persuasion may be lurking.”
“We need to look at everything again,” Colley-Urquhart said Tuesday, “especially with all the technology that exists.
“It used to be you’d get upset with someone breaking into your locker.”
City officials confirmed Tuesday they’ve launched an internal investigation, but were unable to provide specifics. Evidence of similar violations was not found in a sweeping search of all city pools following the incident.
Hidden cameras searches were not conducted in the past, said Shelia Rougeau, as facilities relied on staff diligence.
“It’s sad it takes such a horrible incidence to once again raise the importance of everybody’s vigilance,” added Rougeau, city spokeswoman for community and protective services.
The authorities were called to the southwest centre on Nov. 30 when an employee reported finding two portable hard drives containing photos and video of female colleagues in various states of undress.
District 8 Staff Sgt. Craig Skelton said it appeared the storage devices were dropped or fell out of someone’s pocket. Investigators later determined the images had been recorded in November by an employee who had placed a camera inside the women’s change room.
Skelton described it as a “very simple setup” that could’ve been positioned nearly anywhere.
Police don’t believe any public facilities were targeted.
However, forensic officers have yet to scan computers that were later seized, pending a search warrant.
“I can’t say with certainty that we won’t find other images,” Skelton told reporters at police headquarters. “But I can’t say with certainty that we will. Until that examina- tion is completed, we simply don’t know.”
Police have spoken to the women identified in the photos, and don’t believe any of the material was shared.
Located on Canova Road S.W., the Canyon Meadows recreation centre houses a salt water swimming pool, workout facility and studios for yoga, dance and martial arts.
Customers were stunned by the news on Tuesday.
“We’re completely unaware, but very shocked and surprised,” said Jasen Pratt, manager of Cascade Swim Club, a longtime client.
Robertshaw now faces four counts of voyeurism.
He is scheduled to appear in court next month, and city officials said he has been suspended in the meantime.