Kamloops mayor won't comment on workplace investigation | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kamloops mayor won't comment on workplace investigation

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The mayor of Kamloops says he won't be publicly commenting on a workplace investigation specifically aimed at him.

He says he hasn't received a copy of a workplace investigation report, despite requests to staff, but he's calling the leak that put the report in the public eye a "serious legal matter," according to a written statement sent to iNFOnews.ca. He also distanced himself from the rest of city council after they issued a news release last week confirming their support for top city management.

The investigation was spurred by allegations the mayor bullied and harassed multiple city employees earlier this year. 

"I would prefer to deal with damaging allegations and statements in a court of law, or before a legally constituted tribunal, where due process is followed and the rule of law is respected," mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson said in the Aug. 8 written statement.

The workplace investigation resulted in restrictions against him, which include having emails vetted by another councillor before they're sent and placing a third-party in the room when meeting with the city's top employee.

READ MORE: Kamloops mayor, councillor spill the beans in court filings

Although the report was leaked to local media, the mayor said he hasn't been able to get his hands on a copy.

Kamloops This Week published some of the details from the leaked report last week, but Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson said he won't comment on the investigation itself. The City contracted an outside investigator earlier this year after four employees complained about Hamer-Jackson's behaviour, according to Kamloops This Week.

The investigator found the mayor violated the city's own code of conduct with at least three employees, including chief administrative officer David Trawin.

READ MORE: Kamloops mayor under investigation for harassing multiple city employees

On Aug. 4, city council issued a news release expressing its "full confidence" in Trawin and other senior leadership in response to Kamloops This Week's coverage.

"Through their leadership, the business of the City continues to get done," the news release reads.

Hamer-Jackson said that news release was not approved by him and he assumes it represents the "personal views of our elected city councillors."

He also said city councillors violated their obligations to be transparent, accountable and respectful when issuing the Aug. 4 news release.

READ MORE: Kamloops mayor accused of using city councillor's family as leverage

He continued to say the investigation report comes from a June 13 closed council meeting and its "selective" release is a "serious legal matter."

"If and when City Council authorizes the release of the full contents of the 'investigation' and report, I will comment further," he said.

iNFOnews.ca reported in June that the mayor was being investigated for bullying and harassment at City hall, but the allegations weren't known.

He did not meet with the investigator, despite initially agreeing to an appointment. Hamer-Jackson told iNFOnews.ca he wanted to see the allegations against him in writing before the meeting, then cancelled when they weren't provided.


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