Mounties should rethink policy following cell sex case: complaints commission

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – An investigation by the RCMP Public Complaints Commission found that three officers accused of watching two female suspects have sex in a jail cell without intervening demonstrated a lack of professionalism.

And while the RCMP investigation of the incident was thorough, the commission says the police force failed to recognize an issue that could lead to a perception of bias when the force investigates its own members.

The commission made four recommendations, including that the RCMP consider amending its policy in connection to when an investigation should be turned over to an external agency.

The Elizabeth Fry Society filed the complaint after the August 2010 incident came to light.

The women — who had been arrested separately and were both clearly intoxicated — were being held in the drunk tank when the officers and a guard allegedly watched them have sex via closed circuit TV.

Cpl. Kenneth Brown, Const. Evan Elgee, Const. Stephen Zaharia and guard David Tompkins still face breach of trust charges in the case.