National

B.C. RCMP conduct hearing delayed over disclosure issues, possible publication ban

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Mar, 2025 02:17 PM

An RCMP code of conduct hearing that could see three Mounties from Coquitlam, B.C., lose their jobs has been delayed until Thursday over disclosure issues and a possible publication ban.

The hearing in Surrey, B.C., was to begin with the testimony of a female officer who lawyers for the conduct hearing said would testify that Const. Ian Solven "outright lied" during his testimony at the hearing earlier this week.

Constables Solven, Mersad Mesbah and Philip Dick face allegations of discreditable conduct and workplace harassment over racist, homophobic and other derogatory messages made in police group chats on personal phones and over RCMP data terminals, which they deny.

John MacLaughlan, a lawyer for the RCMP conduct authority, says the officer scheduled to testify and others who were the subjects of derisive comments in the group chats need time to get independent legal advice and help from their union.

MacLaughlan told the conduct board that the proceedings should remain open to the public to the "greatest extent possible" because of the significant public interest involved, but he would not oppose a publication ban on alleged victims' names.

Brad Kielmann, Solven's lawyer, says he needed disclosure of the female officer's own private communications about the hearing, including Instagram messages, because they could be "highly relevant."

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Housing unaffordability still rising despite billions in government measures: PBO

The Parliamentary Budget Officer says the number of Canadians in need of affordable housing is still rising, even though Canada is spending billions of dollars a year to address the shortage. A new report from the budget watchdog this morning says 2.4 million Canadian households are now in core housing need.

Housing unaffordability still rising despite billions in government measures: PBO

More than 40 vehicles vandalized in Nanaimo in one night

Mounties in Nanaimo are looking for witnesses or camera footage that may help them pinpoint the person, or people, involved in the vandalism of dozens of vehicles over several hours. An RCMP statement says officers received 42 reports of windows being smashed, tires being flattened and broken side mirrors.

More than 40 vehicles vandalized in Nanaimo in one night

Fake taxi scam in Abbotsford

A scam involving fake taxis being used to steal people's debit and credit cards appears to have made its way to Abbotsford after a warning from Burnaby R-C-M-P. The scam involves the use of a black vehicle with a taxi sign on the roof and two fraudsters, one posing as a driver and one as a passenger.

Fake taxi scam in Abbotsford

Body found in Nelson

Police on Vancouver Island say a signal from an S-O-S device led them to find the body of a man who was last known to live in Nelson. R-C-M-P say they received an S-O-S call from the device associated with the man early Tuesday morning, leading them to a makeshift campsite outside Port Alberni.

Body found in Nelson

New conservation area announced for Rocky Mountain Trench in B.C.

Another piece of the puzzle for conservation efforts along the Rocky Mountain Trench in B.C. is in place. Nature Conservancy Canada says wildlife including grizzly bear numbers have been declining in the region, which is why it added a new conservation area next to Kootenay National Park that links to a "network of already protected" lands.

New conservation area announced for Rocky Mountain Trench in B.C.

Settlement reached in complaint over Canada Post layoffs as strike hits four weeks

In a statement issued Wednesday night, the union said a mediated settlement has been reached that requires Canada Post to notify affected employees that they are not on a temporary layoff.