Another woman alleges she fell victim to sexually aggressive behaviour by former Kelowna cop | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Another woman alleges she fell victim to sexually aggressive behaviour by former Kelowna cop

Kelowna Law Courts

Another woman is claiming a former Kelowna Mountie caused her significant psychological harm by being sexually aggressive.

The woman came in contact with RCMP Const. Brian Matthew Burkett Oct. 17, 2012, when he worked as a Mountie in Duncan, B.C., reads a civil suit filed Jan. 20, by Penticton lawyer Michael Patterson.

The suit, which predates two similar complaints made out of Kelowna, states the woman dialled 911 after she was run off the road by an aggressive driver.

"The plaintiff was vulnerable and anxious given the close call she had with a dangerous and aggressive driver that could've caused her injury," Patterson wrote in the suit.

She gave the information to the RCMP, with the understanding that it was standard police investigative procedure.

"However, to the surprise and distress of the plaintiff, Burkett used the plaintiff's personal information to sexually harass the plaintiff. Within minutes of the plaintiff leaving the Duncan RCMP detachment, Burkett sent the plaintiff more than 15 inappropriate, suggestive sexual messages."

The suit also alleges that in addition, Burkett acted "obsessively and aggressively" via texts in his pursuit of the plaintiff.

The persistent sexual harassment by Burkett caused the woman to suffer psychological harm, and the woman is suing for damages that have yet to be disclosed.

"He knew or out to have known that by pursuing intimacy with the plaintiff that he was breaching the trust that the plaintiff placed in him in his capacity as a RCMP member, and that he was victimizing the plaintiff," Patterson wrote.

"Burkett knew or ought to have known that by pushing intimacy of the plaintiff he was causing her significant harm."

None of the allegations have been proven in court, however, the details mirror the previous lawsuits.

The suit also names the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and the Attorney General of Canada.

Burkett has not been a member of the RCMP since 2017 and was in court Monday, Jan. 20, for direction by judge related to breach of trust charges.

Find past stories on Brian Matthew Burkett here.


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