RCMP SUSPENDS MEMBER OVER DRUGS

An unidentified Penticton RCMP member has been arrested and relieved of his
duties after a lengthy two-pronged investigation into drug-related
allegations. "We would have very much liked to have named our suspended
member," said Insp. Stewart McLeod. "However we are unable to do so."

Though the former member of the Penticton Property Crime Task Force - which
also deals with drug-related crimes - was arrested Aug. 18, held in city
cells overnight and suspended from his duties Aug. 19, McLeod cannot release
his name until charges are officially laid.

"It's not really a matter of if criminal charges will be laid," he said.
"It's a matter of when."

The officer is the subject of both a Vancouver RCMP Internal Affairs Unit
and regional Crown Counsel criminal investigation. McLeod said the two
investigations function entirely separately.

Internal affairs investigates possible RCMP Code of Conduct contraventions.
That unit is looking into breach of trust and obstruction of justice
allegations in this case. And all McLeod could say of the criminal
investigation is that the matter is drug-related.

Normally, a person alleged to have committed a drug-related offence would be
charged and named within a day, McLeod said. But the process is lengthier
when it involves an RCMP officer.

In this case, the regional Crown counsel's office in Kelowna makes
recommendations on which criminal charges should be laid. Local Crown
counsel work closely with local RCMP officers on a daily basis and are
therefore not involved in the process.

Once the Crown's recommendations are complete, they must be sent to Victoria
for the Ministry of the Attorney General's office to ratify.

"That entire process has to take place prior to the information being laid,"
said McLeod.

Public trust is essential to the RCMP's existence, McLeod said, adding that
once allegations were brought forward, an immediate investigation was launched.

No other Penticton RCMP members are involved in the drug-related allegations
currently being investigated, he said.