Nunavut RCMP review probe of sex-assault allegation
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 | 9:25 PM CT
CBC News
RCMP in Nunavut say they will find out why a police investigation into a Pond Inlet woman's complaint — that a police officer had beaten and raped her more than 2½ years ago — appears to be incomplete.
The woman filed the complaint in April 2007, alleging that a male officer had sexually and physically assaulted her in a local detachment holding cell.
Officials with the police force say a police investigation began shortly after the complaint was filed, but what happened next is unclear.
"We definitely want to know the outcomes of that file. And if it's incomplete, we're going to complete it," Supt. Steve McVarnock, the RCMP's commanding officer in Nunavut, told CBC News on Wednesday.
McVarnock said he did not even know that a sexual assault complaint had been filed against the RCMP officer, who is no longer based in Pond Inlet.
Subject of other disciplinary matters
McVarnock would not name the officer in question, but he did say the officer is currently the subject of other disciplinary matters within the force.
For now, the Nunavut RCMP's serious crime unit is reviewing the case, but McVarnock said he will ask a member of a municipal police agency outside the territory to conduct an independent review of their work.
He said he also hopes to have a decision by the middle of this month on whether to bring in outside investigators for a more thorough probe of the Pond Inlet complaint.
"I'm definitely committed to advancing it, I want to make sure that all the 'i's are dotted and 't's are crossed for the [alleged] victim's sake, for the member's sake, for public confidence's sake," McVarnock said.
"So we'll definitely be moving forward and, again, if we have to bring in an outside resource to take ownership of it, we'll do that."
For now, McVarnock said, he is seeking government funds to install cameras in all holding cells in detachments across Nunavut, which could benefit both police officers and those who file complaints against them.
