Police accused of buying sex from underage prostitutes re-instated
Last Updated: Monday, July 9, 2007 | 2:19 PM PT
CBC News
An RCMP adjudicator has ordered the reinstatement of a Prince George RCMP officer who was accused of buying sex from underage prostitutes between 1993 and 2001.
Deputy Commissioner Gary Bass, who reviewed Const. Justin Harris's file, found there was not enough evidence for criminal prosecution or a continued suspension.
Const. Annie Linteau told CBC News on Monday that a major factor in the ruling was the recent death of a key witness.
"One of the key witnesses for the prosecution recently passed away from natural causes in Prince George, so that affected our investigation," she said. "Deputy Commissioner Bass has ordered the reinstatement of Const. Harris to full regular duties."
A security review is underway to determine when and where Harris will be posted. He has been on paid suspension since 2004.
He has always maintained his innocence and has not been criminally charged.
Harris was accused after investigators began interviewing young prostitutes involved in a case against former B.C. provincial court judge David Ramsay in 2002. Ramsay eventually pleaded guilty, and is serving seven years for sexually assaulting young aboriginal women in Prince George.
Share Tools
Latest British Columbia News Headlines
- B.C. Botox injections spark health investigations
- Federal and provinical health authorities say they will take action after CBC News revealed two Vancouver-area clinics were offering Botox injections that would be administered by people not licensed to carry out the procedure. more »
- Canucks continue dominance over Avalanche
- Jannik Hansen scored with 6:29 remaining Wednesday as the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3-1. The Canucks have not lost to the Avalanche since Nov. 1, 2009, posting a 13-0-2 record in that 15-game span. more »
- B.C. house party trial hears from tearful teens
- Two teenagers cried as they testified at the trial of a B.C. woman who was charged after a teen died while her son was hosting a party at her house in 2008. more »
- Unique condo tower proposed for Vancouver downtown
- A unique highrise project has been proposed for the north end of the Granville Bridge that some hope will inspire a new round of architectural innovation in Vancouver. more »
Top News Headlines
- Tories move to curb 'bogus' refugees
- The Conservative government is poised to change the refugee system yet again in an attempt to deter what it considers "bogus" claimants, CBC News has learned. more »
- Children of immigrants challenged at school, home
- By 2016, foreign-born youth and Canadian-born youth from immigrant families will make up a quarter of the country's population, according to predictions by the Canadian Council on Social Development. As their numbers grow, more attention is being paid to their successes and failures. more »
- 2 NDP MPs back final Commons vote to kill gun registry
- Two NDP MPs broke party ranks to vote with the government in the final House of Commons vote on scrapping the long-gun registry. more »
- B.C. house party trial hears from tearful teens
- Two teenagers cried as they testified at the trial of a B.C. woman who was charged after a teen died while her son was hosting a party at her house in 2008. more »
- B.C. house party trial hears from tearful teens
- Legalize pot, say former B.C. attorneys general
- Unique condo tower proposed for Vancouver downtown
- Home foreclosures skyrocket in Kelowna
- 'Abysmal' B.C. courts see more cases tossed
- Jeremy Lin has kids shooting for NBA stardom
- Ex-husband faces charges in Vancouver woman's death
- Man killed in fight at B.C. Hedley concert
- B.C. Botox injections spark health investigations
