A B.C. RCMP officer is keeping his job B次元官网网址� but transferring B次元官网网址� following five allegations of harassment, including allegedly referring to two colleagues by degrading names and telling another that her B次元官网网址渙varies are ticking.B次元官网网址�

Between Aug. 1, 2019 and May 1, 2021, Const. Corey Flodell was alleged to have assaulted a regular RCMP member. He was also alleged to have made B次元官网网址渄iscourteous commentsB次元官网网址� or to have harassed three regular members and one public service employee. He was posted to B次元官网网址淓B次元官网网址� Division, the provincial detachment in the Lower Mainland, in the general duties section in all of the incidents.

Christine Sakiris, of the RCMP conduct board, made her decision in May, but it was only publicly released Thursday (July 27).

B次元官网网址淩egardless of the dynamic that may or may not have existed, the days of excusing comments, such as those made by Constable Flodell, as B次元官网网址渨orkplace banterB次元官网网址� are long over. Each individual is responsible for their own behaviour.B次元官网网址�

There is a publication ban on any information that could identify the complainants.

The allegations

In the first allegation, Flodell was working in the office when Const. E.P. punched Cpl. B.T. twice in the arm, in a joking manner. Flodell intervened saying B次元官网网址測ou gotta hit them in the chest.B次元官网网址�

While seated in a chair, Flodell rolled over toward E.P. with his hand up to demonstrate. E.P. told him not to hit her repeatedly and as Flodell reached her, he lowered his hand, making contact with her body above her clothes, at or below her belt. He allegedly said B次元官网网址渞ight in the cooter,B次元官网网址� referring to a womenB次元官网网址檚 genitalia.

Sakiris said his actions were unwanted and inappropriate.

In the second allegation, Flodell allegedly said to the same constable, E.P., B次元官网网址淲ow, you look like a whB次元官网网址�- tonight.B次元官网网址� E.P., who didnB次元官网网址檛 usually wear makeup, showed up to a night shift with makeup on.

Flodell said the comment was made in jest, but Sakiris said B次元官网网址渢here is no context in which telling a female colleague that they B次元官网网址榣ook like a whB次元官网网址�-B次元官网网址� is acceptable humour in the workplace.

The third incident said Flodell was speaking with a public service employee about his 10-year-old daughter wanting to wear makeup. The employee said there was nothing wrong with wanting to wear makeup and that she did so herself. Flodell allegedly said B次元官网网址渙nly slB次元官网网址�- wore make up.B次元官网网址�

Sakiris said Flodell B次元官网网址渙ught to have known that it would cause offence.B次元官网网址�

In the fourth allegation, Flodell allegedly asked a colleague B次元官网网址渉ow soon is too soon to start calling her a whB次元官网网址�-B次元官网网址� in reference to a new recruit. She wasnB次元官网网址檛 around when the comments were made.

B次元官网网址淥nce again, Constable Flodell made a sexist and rude comment, while on-duty and in the workplace,B次元官网网址� said Sakiris in her decision.

For the second, third and fourth allegations, Sakiris said his comments were rude, inappropriate and had sexist overtones.

In the final allegation, Const. A.P. started her first posting and Flodell became her field coach trainer before eventually working alongside her. Flodell started to make comments on A.P.B次元官网网址檚 gender, marital and family status, and being in her 30s with no children, allegedly asking multiple times over the course of a year: B次元官网网址淒o you hear that? ItB次元官网网址檚 your ovaries tickingB次元官网网址�

When A.P. went out running, Flodell made comments about her shorts and sports bra to another coworker.

The decision

Initially, Flodell denied the allegations but B次元官网网址渁dmitted many particulars.B次元官网网址� In January 2023, he admitted to each allegation and particulars.

Flodell and the complainants provided a joint proposal that Sakiris ultimately imposed.

He is facing several conduct measures, including: 120 hours to be deducted from his pay; forfeiture of 80 hours of annual leave; a transfer to another detachment; writing apology letters to each of the colleagues impacted by his comments; to work under close supervision, specifically in his overall attitude and behaviour toward women in the workplace, for one year from the decision date; to complete training on preventing harassment and violence in the workplace within 30 days of the decision.

Flodell has since done online training and counselling for B次元官网网址渟ignificant self-reflection,B次元官网网址� and a letter from his counsellor confirmed his efforts. He has also completed a two-hour online course in workplace sexual harassment.

Flodell can continue to work as an RCMP officer, but any future contravention of the RCMPB次元官网网址檚 Code of Conduct would be seriously reviewed and could lead to dismissal from the force.

lauren.collins@blackpress.ca
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