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(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)
December 16, 2019 - 8:00 AM
A Kelowna RCMP officer has been suspended with pay in the wake of allegations that he sexted a victim of a crime he was investigating.
Global News reported on the allegations against Const. Sean Eckland late last week. He allegedly sent inappropriate texts woman who he met in 2018 over the course of his duties.
RCMP Spokesperson Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet could not confirm any names or processes at this time but as the investigation proceeds, “the member is currently suspended with pay and his duty status is subject to continual assessment.”
Shoihet also said Kelowna RCMP has asked that the matter be assessed by an outside police department, which would then review and conduct a criminal investigation.
“The RCMP would like to again stress that allegations of this nature are taken seriously,” Shoihet said. “We understand and respect the concerns that could be raised if information about the allegations are known publicly. Especially, when we have not been able to gather all the information and determine the facts. However, the RCMP acted immediately once we became aware of the information and we are confident that the comprehensive internal and external investigations currently underway will guide our actions moving forward.”
In general, the RCMP says allegations of this nature are subject to an Internal Code of Conduct investigation overseen by their Professional Responsibility Unit.
Internal conduct is subject to Privacy Act restrictions and only in those cases where the matter results in a Conduct Dismissal Hearing would the case be a matter of public record.
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