The chair of SaanichB次元官网网址檚 police board has issued a statement in support of the Saanich Police Department following news of a former Saanich police officer, who was the subject of 15 separate misconduct allegations that were substantiated following an investigation by Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC).
Eleven of those substantiated allegations relate to what the reports calls an B次元官网网址渋nappropriateB次元官网网址� relationship with a sex worker, while the remaining allegations concern the misappropriation of money seized from a confidential informant. The officer B次元官网网址� a constable, whose gender remains unknown B次元官网网址� was fired.
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This case has raised a series of questions about the officer in question, as well as the department itself B次元官网网址� questions that the police board has publicly deferred to the department itself following the boardB次元官网网址檚 first meeting on Dec. 4 after the 2018 municipal election.
B次元官网网址淭he Police Board is satisfied this matter is being adequately addressed by Chief [Bob] Downie and the [Saanich Police Department],B次元官网网址� said Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes in an email to the Saanich B次元官网网址. B次元官网网址淧lease address any further inquiries you may have on this directly to Chef Downie and the SPD.B次元官网网址�
The Saanich B次元官网网址 re-submitted an earlier set of questions with two addenda to Saanich Police for comment.
B次元官网网址淥ur Saanich Police comment is the same as it was on November 22nd,B次元官网网址� said Sgt. Jereme Leslie in a statement dated Dec. 6.
The statement from Nov. 22 B次元官网网址� also from Leslie B次元官网网址� said in part that the department took B次元官网网址渋mmediate actionB次元官网网址� to remove the constable from B次元官网网址渙perational dutiesB次元官网网址� followed by a suspension.
B次元官网网址淲e also immediately notified the OPCC and requested their oversight,B次元官网网址� he said at the time. As the allegations were significant, and potentially criminal in nature, police coordinated investigative efforts with BC Prosecution Service, he said.
B次元官网网址淪aanich Police is proud of its culture of service, has deeply entrenched values, and clear expectations of conduct,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭here are policies to guide our conduct, and the conduct of this former officer, completely disregarded our expectations and were blatant violations of our policies. The women and men of the Saanich Police Department are committed to our values and the community. We remain dedicated to earning and maintaining public trust through transparency, accountability, professionalism, and by being responsive to our communityB次元官网网址檚 needs.B次元官网网址�
This statement, however, leaves out details the department refuses to answer: the name of the officer; his or her tenure with Saanich police; his or her compensation while working for the department; any damage caused by the officerB次元官网网址檚 actions on investigations, the reputation of department, and department morale; any changes by the department to its screening process to avoid the hiring of individuals like the officer in question; and steps to improve training of current officers to prevent such behaviour in the future.
Saanich Police did respond B次元官网网址� at least partially B次元官网网址� to questions about any outstanding monies (such as pensions) owed to the officer, as well as whether the OPCC is currently investigating any Saanich officer.
B次元官网网址淧ension questions would need to be answered by the BC Pension Corporation, and regarding any ongoing OPCC investigations with any police agency in the province, you will need to contact the OPCC directly,B次元官网网址� said Leslie.
