RCMP code of conduct hearing schedule upended over 'unresolved' disclosure issues

An RCMP collar tab pin is seen in Edmonton on February 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

An RCMP code of conduct hearing in Surrey, B.C., has been delayed indefinitely due to “unresolved issues” over evidence disclosure and an unspecified “situation” involving an officer who is alleged to have lied during his testimony.

RCMP Constables Ian Solven, Mersad Mesbah and Philip Dick are stationed in Port Coquitlam, B.C., and face possible dismissal for comments made in private group chats on their personal cellphones and on police data terminals.

Solven admitted under oath on Monday that he made “inappropriate” personal comments about a colleague’s weight in the chats, but said he had apologized to the officer and maintained a relationship with her.

A lawyer for the RCMP conduct authority told the board panel hearing the case this week that the woman — whose name has been banned from publication — alleges Solven “outright lied” about apologizing to her during his testimony.

The woman’s testimony was delayed to allow her to get independent legal advice, and the hearing’s schedule has now been further upended due to disclosure issues involving private Instagram messages between Solven and his colleague, among other evidence such as hearing transcripts.

The woman’s lawyer Nasha Nijhawan asked the conduct board Thursday “what might happen next” with the hearing schedule, and a member of the board panel replied, “no one has a sense.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 13, 2025.

Darryl Greer, The Canadian Press