Complaints commission review into Kamloops cell sex case welcomed: RCMP

KAMLOOPS, B.C. – RCMP say they welcome a report by the public complaints commission into an incident at the jail in Kamloops, B.C., that resulted in breach of trust charges against three officers.

Force spokesman, Cpl. Laurence Trottier, says Commissioner Bob Paulson supports most of the recommendations, although the report notes that the commissioner does not support the main recommendation — that the force amend its policy around calling in outside agencies when investigations are serious or sensitive.

While the RCMP’s own investigation was thorough and timely, the commission found that the force failed to recognize situations where there could be a perception of bias and an outside agency should investigate.

Trottier says the civilian review process is essential to ensuring public confidence in the RCMP.

The women had been arrested separately and were both intoxicated when several officers and civilian guards watched them have sex via closed circuit TV in September 2010.

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