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West Kelowna cop involved in RCMP apology

West Kelowna91Ƶs top cop is involved in an RCMP apology 91Ƶ several years in the making.
web1_170217-bpd-whiterockWRRCMP-apologyletter
E Division RCMP Deputy Cmsr. Craig Callens has apologized to former White Rock city staffer Jordan Murray-Wahl, for 91Ƶunfounded91Ƶ allegations made in 2011. 91Ƶ Image Credit: File Photo/RCMP Statement

West Kelowna91Ƶs top cop is involved in an RCMP apology 91Ƶ several years in the making.

Nearly six years after the former administration manager of the White Rock RCMP was banned from the premises of the Pacific Avenue detachment for alleged breaches of procedure, policy and security, B.C.91Ƶs top cop has apologized for the actions of the RCMP.

Including the actions of Staff Sgt. Lesli Roseberry, who took over the West Kelowna detachment in April 2016.

In a statement couriered to our sister paper, the Peace Arch News, E Division Deputy Cmsr. Craig Callens describes allegations made in an RCMP document that was provided to the City of White Rock in 2011 regarding the conduct of then-city-employee Jordan Murray-Wahl as 91Ƶunfounded.91Ƶ

91ƵOn behalf of the Royal Canadian Mountain (sic) Police, I offer my sincere apology to Ms. Murray-Wahl for any damage to her reputation or any stress, anxiety or loss of income or reputation that she has suffered as a result of the actions of the RCMP prior to and following the provision of the document to the City of White Rock,91Ƶ Callens states.

Wednesday, Murray-Wahl91Ƶs lawyer Kevin Woodall confirmed the apology was part of settlement discussions that made trial 91Ƶ which had been scheduled to get underway Feb. 14 91Ƶ unnecessary.

He said that Callens delivering a face-to-face apology to Murray-Wahl also 91Ƶfully renewed91Ƶ his client91Ƶs confidence in the RCMP.

91ƵHer faith in the organization was shattered to the core by what happened to her in 2011,91Ƶ Woodall said, noting the apology 91Ƶfirmly set aside91Ƶ any doubts Murray-Wahl had with regard to the Mounties91Ƶ willingness to acknowledge the wrongdoing.

91ƵShe is pleased that the allegations that were made against her and that were in part published in your story91Ƶ have been definitively laid to rest.91Ƶ

Peace Arch News that the city had received word from then-detachment commander Staff Sgt. Lesli Roseberry on April 7 of that year advising that in the view of the RCMP, Murray-Wahl had been 91Ƶdeemed unsuitable to continue work at the detachment,91Ƶ and would not be allowed to enter the premises.

The decision 91Ƶ detailed in a document Callens notes was 91Ƶintended to remain confidential91Ƶ 91Ƶ followed an RCMP investigation that began in December 2010 and allegedly identified breaches dating back to at least April of that year.

In his statement dated Feb. 6, Callens said the RCMP document 91Ƶcontained language that could lead the reader to draw negative conclusions about Ms. Murray-Wahl and her character.91Ƶ

91ƵUpon further investigation, the RCMP has determined that the allegations contained in the document were unfounded and constitute an unfair and inaccurate portrayal of Ms. Murray-Wahl. Throughout her tenure at the White Rock Detachment she conducted herself professionally and with integrity.91Ƶ

Murray-Wahl, 52, filed a civil suit in April 2013, seeking general, special, aggravated and punitive damages in connection with the matter, which she said resulted in the termination of her position with the city in September 2011.

The notice of claim, finalized last Dec. 5, names Roseberry, Callens, Chief Supt. Janice Armstrong, Assistant Cmsr. Norman Lipinski and the attorneys general of B.C. and Canada.

Among other things, it alleged Roseberry, Armstrong, Lipinski and Callens breached their public duties, resulting in Murray-Wahl91Ƶs loss of employment, loss of security clearance, loss of reputation and loss of career, as well as prolonged stress and anguish.

Roseberry, it states, launched an investigation into Murray-Wahl based on unreliable information and without lawful authority. Murray-Wahl91Ƶs 91Ƶright to a fair process was subverted by Roseberry91Ƶs deliberate abuse of her powers as a public officer,91Ƶ the claim states.

As well, it alleges Roseberry intended for the document in question to be leaked, or failed to secure it, and as a result it was provided to the Peace Arch News.

A response to the civil claim filed in April 2014 and amended last August states Roseberry acted within her authority, and denies 91Ƶthat any action on the part of the defendants91Ƶ constitute dishonesty, gross negligence or malicious or willful misconduct.91Ƶ

91ƵThe defendants say that any actions taken by them or any RCMP member were taken in good faith and within the course and scope of their duties as RCMP members and provincial constables.91Ƶ

Neither Callens nor Roseberry, who took the helm of the West Kelowna RCMP detachment last year, responded to Peace Arch News91Ƶs request for comment by press time.

In a letter to Peace Arch News that accompanied the released statement, Callens writes that he wants to 91Ƶset the record straight.91Ƶ

A reference letter included with the package aims 91Ƶto counteract any possible negative conclusions and inform the reader that Ms. Murray-Wahl is a hard-working, dedicated employee who the RCMP is prepared to have working within the organization.91Ƶ

Woodall said his client91Ƶs settlement included 91Ƶfair and substantial91Ƶ financial compensation. (The court documents also note that Murray-Wahl received damages from the city in connection with her termination.)

Woodall added that Callens was also 91Ƶvery generous91Ƶ in assisting Murray-Wahl in applying for a position with the Surrey RCMP 91Ƶ a job she was awarded.

He said that while the case sets no legal precedents due to it being settled out of court, it provides 91Ƶa tangible sign to the commitment of the RCMP91Ƶ regarding preventing and redressing harassment and bullying claims.

91ƵThis result is an illustration of the RCMP91Ƶs renewed commitment to its anti-harassment and bullying policy,91Ƶ Woodall said.

by PAN editor on Scribd





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