A sergeant who engaged in a “pattern of predatory behaviour” towards his female colleagues was one of five municipal police officers dismissed for misconduct in B.C. during the last fiscal year, according to a provincial watchdog. B.C.’s Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner reports annually on its work, including by providing anonymized summaries of cases where allegations have been substantiated. Between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, the oversight agency found 64 officers had committed a combined 95 counts of misconduct and imposed penalties ranging from reprimands to dismissal. ‘Pattern of predation’ The sergeant, who worked for the New Westminster Police Department, was initially disciplined with a reduction in rank, but a review by a retired judge found nothing short of dismissal would be appropriate in the circumstances. The sexual misconduct spanned 2017 to 2019 and involved three female officers and one civilian employee, who were subjected to unwanted comments, touching and advances, according to the report. “(The retired judge) found that the combination of incidents amounted to a pattern of predation by the member, that the member repeatedly violated the values they were expected to uphold as a superior officer, and that ‘confidence in the administration of police discipline would be irreparably damaged if (the member) was permitted to resume his duties in any setting that placed him in proximity to female subordinate or colleagues,’” the report said. Part of the delay in concluding the misconduct probe was a pause for a criminal investigation, which did not result in charges. The sergeant resigned before the decision to dismiss him was reached. Off-duty sexual misconduct Sexual misconduct also resulted in the dismissal of an officer with the Saanich Police Department, who was disciplined for “egregious” off-duty behaviour in 2021. “The affected person reported that after a social interaction at a restaurant, the member entered the affected person’s residence and bedroom without invitation or announcement and initiated sexual contact with the affected person without obtaining the affected person’s consent,” the report said, adding that the complainant suffered “significant on-going emotional trauma from the incident.” A criminal investigation that did not result in charges also delayed the conclusion of the matter. The officer also resigned prior to the conclusion of the misconduct investigation. Sexual misconduct by two Vancouver officers Two officers with the Vancouver Police Department were dismissed after being found to have committed sexual misconduct over a period of years. In the first case, the officer met the complainant when he was at her high school giving a presentation, the report said, adding that the officer and the teen “exchanged emails about a career in policing” while she was still a student. “After the student had graduated high school, the two became engaged in an intimate relationship. The investigation showed that the member had lied to the female about their age and was verbally and emotionally abusive towards her,” according to the report, which noted the misconduct occurred between 2018 and 2022. “The member was in a clear position of trust, influence, and authority and would have significant influence over the female’s career aspirations,” the report said, also noting the officer kept the relationship secret which indicated he was aware it was “inappropriate.” The officer resigned before the conclusion of the disciplinary proceeding. A senior, supervising officer with the Vancouver Police Department was found to have committed sexual misconduct between 2019 and 2022 when he had a relationship with a female subordinate and did not report it despite a policy mandating he do so, the report said. “During the Police Act investigation, additional allegations arose in relation to the member disobeying an order from a senior officer to cease contact with the female member and attempting to contact the female member specifically to obtain details about their Police Act interview,” according to the report. Despite the officer showing remorse and taking responsibility, dismissal was determined to be the only option “given the member’s ‘egregious’ conduct and prolonged commitment to pursuing their own self-interest at the expense of others,” the report said. As in the other cases in the report, the officer resigned before the OPCC file was concluded. ‘Particularly egregious’ The only case that resulted in dismissal and did not involve sexual misconduct was that of a Surrey officer, who was found to have provided someone he knew was “involved in criminal activity” with information in 2022 about how to evade police surveillance, the report said. “The member’s actions were ‘particularly egregious’ as the member provided information to an individual who was actively under surveillance for serious criminal offences involving the exploitation of vulnerable and marginalized persons, and such information was provided to ‘thwart an active criminal investigation,’” according to the report. The officer, like all of the others, resigned before the conclusion of the misconduct investigation. In cases like these, the officer’s service record reflects their dismissal. The OPCC does not typically identify officers who are being investigated for misconduct, with exceptions in some cases such as when a public hearing is ordered. The province’s Police Act prevents the office from releasing information or confirming an investigation is underway or has taken place in most circumstances. RELATED STORIES:
