ARRESTED RCMP OFFICER RESIGNS

A North Vancouver RCMP officer under investigation for drug
trafficking has tendered his resignation.

Const. Scott Simpson was arrested Feb. 16 under suspicion of
possessing and distributing marijuana.

Simpson, a 12-year veteran of the force, has not yet been charged with
these offences, although he was suspended from work immediately after
his arrest.

North Vancouver RCMP Supt. Jamie Graham said at the end of last week
that Simpson had signed an "irrevocable" termination document "of his
own volition" to quit, and was now no longer a member of the force.

Search warrant information regarding Simpson's case was sealed by
police at the time of his arrest.

However, the results of an internal police investigation will be
presented to a federal prosecutor within the next few days. Local
Mounties have already recommended charges of possession and
trafficking.

Const. Simpson had been based in North Vancouver for three
years.

In a letter to the News last week, North Vancouver teen Jamie-Lee
Markle described the policeman, who spent a lot of time working with
local youth groups, as "a great cop and a great friend."

To press time Tuesday, no representatives of the detachment were
available for further comment.