THE BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced today that on August 20, Andi MacKay was appointed as a special prosecutor involving an investigation being conducted by the Abbotsford Police Department into allegations against RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Teboul.

The alleged offences occurred on July 2 in Abbotsford, while he was off duty.

The appointment of a special prosecutor is intended to avoid any potential for real or perceived improper influence in the administration of justice considering the nature of the allegations and the identity of the accused as a police officer in a senior position of authority, the BCPS said in a press statement.

MacKay is a senior Vancouver lawyer in private practice. Her mandate includes providing legal advice to investigators as may be necessary, conducting any related charge assessment, and assuming conduct of the prosecution if any charge was approved.

On September 18, Teboul was charged with one count of assault, one count of assault by choking in relation to the same complainant, and an additional count of assault in relation to a second complainant. The first appearance is scheduled for October 9 at Abbotsford Law Courts.

Following consultation with the special prosecutor, the BCPS concluded that issuing a media statement was appropriate at this time.

(Abbotsford Police said in a press statement that on July 2, they were alerted to a reported assault at a public facility in the 2400-block of McMillan Road. All individuals involved were identified during the course of the investigation, including an off-duty RCMP officer.)

As this matter is now before the court neither the special prosecutor nor the BCPS will be releasing additional information or commenting further at this time.

The court has ordered a publication ban in relation to the victims’ identities.