A veteran police officer who invented a technique of tracking crimes that's being used around the world is suing the Vancouver Police Board for wrongful dismissal.

Kim Rossmo was promoted from constable to detective inspector after pioneering an investigative tool he calls geographic profiling. That tool is now being used around the world, but not in Vancouver.

Rossmo's lawyer says this is a case about jealousy in an old boy's network.

Rossmo was the first Canadian police officer to get a PhD in Criminology, then he leapfrogged over several ranks to detective inspector. Rossmo pioneered an investigative technique that uses a computer to plot crime scenes on a map. It helps figure out where a serial rapist or killer might live.

In spite of his invention and 22 years on the force, on Monday Rossmo packed up his files.

Murray Tevlin is Rossmo's lawyer. He says there was a lot of jealousy and resentment in the department when Rossmo jumped several ranks. "It's about whether if you distinguish yourself in the police department, but you don't fit in with the old boy network, (this is) what happens."

Rossmo's five-year contract wasn't renewed and he was asked to return to the rank of constable. Const. Anne Drennan speaks for the Vancouver Police Department. She had little to say to reporters on Tuesday. "We feel that it would be inappropriate to discuss this in the eye of the media," she said.

Rossmo says he's now looking for a new job in the United States.