THE Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner has ordered a review by a retired judge into the findings of a discipline proceeding relating to allegations of discreditable conduct against a member of the New Westminster Police Department (NWPD).

A NWPD sergeant was alleged to have made inappropriate sexual advances towards female NWPD employees. At the time of these incidents, the sergeant was a senior NWPD member and in a supervisory role within the department.

The matter was investigated externally to the NWPD by the Vancouver Police Department.   During a subsequent discipline proceeding, the member was found to have committed two allegations of discreditable conduct. The discipline authority recommended that the member receive a reduction in rank.

The Police Complaint Commissioner has determined, among other things, that the proposed discipline does not adequately address the seriousness of the conduct. The Police Complaint Commissioner has further determined that a review by a retired judge is necessary in the public interest.

Carol Baird Ellan, retired BC Provincial Court judge, will preside as the adjudicator of the review on the record, which has yet to be scheduled.

Updates on the review will be shared on the OPCC website. 

The full notice of review is available here.