OTTAWA — A federal judge has overruled the RCMP boss's "unreasonable" decision to deny a staff sergeant's bid for promotion because of long-discounted allegations of misconduct.
In his decision, Federal Court Justice John O'Keefe directs RCMP commissioner Bob Paulson to do as much as he can to ensure Staff Sgt. Walter Boogaard is elevated to the rank of inspector.
Boogaard has been unsuccessful in obtaining a promotion due to an incident 14 years ago in which his gun was stolen by two women.
The women said Boogaard had picked them up and was trying to buy sex from one of them when the other pinched the firearm — a version of events the officer denies.
Boogaard's account — that the gun was stolen from his vehicle — was accepted when the matter was addressed by the national police force at the time.
Boogaard's lawyer, Paul Champ, says the lengthy case illustrates that there is persistent bitterness and dysfunction within the force despite promises of change.
The RCMP had no immediate comment on the ruling.
