(BRENDAN KERGIN / iNFOnews.ca)

CONTENT ADVISORY

A Grand Forks Mountie who told his colleague that she looked "like a whore," joked about hitting another female RCMP officer in the "cooter," and made other sexist remarks to junior female cops will be transferred and docked pay.

According to a recently published May 12 RCMP Conduct Board decision, Grand Forks RCMP Const. Corey Flodell made his "discourteous" comments to three female RCMP officers and one civilian working for the police.

The RCMP Conduct Board found Const. Flodell's comments were "unquestionably" rude and sexist and always aimed at female RCMP officers more junior than him.

In one incident, in March 2021, the Mountie joked about hitting a female colleague in the chest and then rolled his chair towards them.

As he did so the female officer said "no, no, no don’t do that" but he continued to get close to her and "made light contact with her body, above her clothes, at or below her belt."

He then said: "Right in the cooter."

"Your actions were unwanted and inappropriate," the Conduct Board said.

In another incident, he told a colleague she looked "like a whore tonight" after she wore makeup to work.

Separately, he told another colleague that "only sluts wear makeup."

"Your comments... were rude, inappropriate, and had sexist overtones," the Conduct Board said.

READ MORE: B.C. RCMP sergeant accused of sexual harassment back before conduct board

The decision says that while Const. Flodell was training a new RCMP officer, he made numerous comments about the woman being in her 30s and single without children.

"Do you hear that? It’s your ovaries ticking," he said to her on more than one occasion.

When she then went out running he made comments about her her shorts and sports bra.

"Because of your rude and inappropriate comments and harassing behaviour, (the) Constable... felt depressed and worthless," the Board said.

The decision says the constable was repeatedly asked to stop making comments about her status as a single woman without children.

The Conduct Board said his comments constituted harassment and he should have known that his "repeated and unwanted comments" would cause the officer harm.

The decision says the Mountie admitted to his conduct but tried to rationalize his behaviour saying it should be viewed in the context of accepted office banter.

READ MORE: Drunk B.C. RCMP officer who passed out in drive-thru keeps job

The disciplinary board didn't buy it.

"There is no context in which telling a colleague she looks like a 'whore' can reasonably be considered appropriate office banter," the Board ruled. "Regardless of the dynamic that may or may not have existed, the days of excusing comments, such as those made by Constable Flodell, as 'workplace banter' are long over."

The Board said it was "inconceivable" that the officer was oblivious to his repeated behaviour pointing out it was all directed at junior female members new to the detachment and continued for two years.

In arguing for a lesser penalty, Const. Flodell said he accepted responsibility for his actions, acknowledged his misconduct, and is remorseful.

"However, I am troubled by Constable Flodell’s persistence... in minimizing facts," the Board said. "This is not consistent with a full acceptance of responsibility."

The decision says the Mountie has been with the RCMP since at least 2010 and is engaged in the community, and does extensive volunteer work.

READ MORE: Mountie who set girlfriend's hair on fire ordered to resign

Const. Flodell argued he shouldn't be transferred elsewhere.

The Mountie said he has four school-age children, one with special health needs, who have grown up in the community and to be transferred would be very difficult for them.

However, the Conduct Board said that while moving may be very difficult for his children, the "root cause" of the move is his misconduct.

The Conduct Board said he would be transferred to a different detachment away from those affected by his misconduct.

Along with an order to write a letter of apology to the officers involved, he was docked 120 hours of pay, lost 80 hours vacation pay, and for one year will have to work under strict supervision, "in particular with respect to Constable Flodell’s overall behaviour and attitude towards women in the workplace."

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