Pair of Metro Vancouver police officers arrested, released, in Cuba

VANCOUVER – The alleged assault of a 17-year-old Canadian teenager in Cuba has prompted the arrest of two Vancouver-area police officers.

The Vancouver and Port Moody police departments each confirmed Thursday by email that one of their members was taken into custody and then released during a personal vacation in Cuba.

Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay said in an interview Thursday that his police department has been in touch with the officer's family and was told both officers had their passports confiscated "a few weeks ago."

Clay, who's also the head of the police board in the city, said there has been an allegation that the Vancouver officer assaulted a 17-year-old Ontario female, but no charges have been laid.

The Port Moody officer is being held as a material witness, Clay said.

"Unfortunately, what we're told is that investigations move quite slowly and in fact we've been told that it could be up to 60 days before he might be allowed to leave the country," he said.

Deputy Police Complaint Commissioner Rollie Woods also said he believes the Port Moody officer was detained as a witness.

"My understanding is the person or the officer that may be in some jeopardy for his actions there was the Vancouver member," he said, noting that his office has been given very little information and is still confirming details.

Once the commission has more information, it will determine whether to launch an investigation, Woods said, noting that officers are bound by professional conduct standards outlined in the Police Act, no matter where they are in the world.

"Municipal police in British Columbia are accountable for their actions, whether they are in Canada or any other country in the world. They're always held to account and could be subject to a Police Act investigation, if they have committed or are alleged to commit misconduct," Woods said.